Following the successful rescue of the now world-famous elephant Kaavan two weeks ago, global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS International managed to evacuate the last two animals at Marghazar Zoo, Himalayan brown bears Suzie and Bubloo.
FOUR PAWS transferred the bears via plane yesterday from Pakistan to Jordan, where they will find a species-appropriate home at the sanctuary “Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife” – run by the Princess Alia Foundation and FOUR PAWS.
The departure of Suzie and Bubloo, means that there are finally no more animals left in the Islamabad zoo, which is finally closing its gates for good.
Since August 2020, FOUR PAWS, together with Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), and financially supported by American businessman Eric S. Margolis, has evacuated over 30 animals from Marghazar Zoo, including: wolves, deer, rabbits, monkeys, and elephant Kaavan.
The two bears Suzie and Bubloo have endured years of suffering. Before they came to Marghazar Zoo, they were abused as so-called dancing bears. To prevent them from hurting their owner and spectators, both bears had almost all of their teeth removed.
The FOUR PAWS team also found serious behavioral issues with the animals. Vets had to perform an emergency surgery on 17-year-old Suzie back in August 2020, as she was suffering from a badly infected chest wound likely due to a recent tumour removal.
“After witnessing the departure of recently rescued elephant Kaavan, Suzie and Bubloo have also finally starting their new life. With their departure to Jordan, we can give the bears the medical treatment and care they desperately need,” said Dr. Amir Khalil, FOUR PAWS veterinarian and head of the rescue mission, in a statement. “After almost four months of hard work in Pakistan, we are locking the gates of Marghazar Zoo once and for all.
