THIS is apropos the news report `Zoo`s only elephant Suzi dies`(May13). It is sad to learn that Suzi died due to an unknown cause in the Lahore zoo. The zoo`s administration was guessing various causes for Suzi`s death like loneliness, her age, problems in legs, etc, but they don`t know the exact cause of the death while visitors to the zoo said that the elephant seemed sick but was moving.
It is heartbreaking that the Punjab government spends millions of taxpayers` rupees on veterinary science education, while the zoo administration fails to getthe animal`s condition diagnosed and provide treatment.
Asian elephants are an endangered species with an average lifespan of 60 years. If well-looked after, they live longer in captivity. However, if they are given substandard food and water and a polluted environment they get sick and perish.
The Punjab government should probe Suzi`s death and the administration should improve the living conditions of other animals in the zoo.
