Thu May 22 07:45:46 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article, focusing on the Indian perspective and potential angles:
**Summary:**
Two elephants, Madhubala and Malika, at the Karachi Safari Park in Pakistan have been diagnosed with tuberculosis. A team of veterinarians, including Dr. Buddhika Bandara from Sri Lanka, is administering a novel treatment involving hiding large doses of human TB medication within the elephants’ food. This follows the deaths of two other elephants at the park, one of whom died from TB. The Karachi Safari Park has faced criticism for animal mistreatment.
**News Article (Perspective: The View From India):**
**Indian Subcontinent Tackles Elephant TB Outbreak: Innovative Treatment Underway in Pakistan**
Karachi, Pakistan | May 22, 2025 – In a heartening display of cross-border collaboration, a team of doctors and veterinarians in Pakistan, supported by a Sri Lankan veterinary surgeon, is battling a tuberculosis outbreak affecting two elephants at the Karachi Safari Park. The innovative treatment, involving the administration of 400 human TB pills daily hidden within the elephants’ food, is garnering attention across the subcontinent and highlights the challenges faced in managing animal welfare in the region.
The treatment comes after the tragic deaths of two other African elephants at the park, one confirmed to have died from TB. The current focus is on Madhubala and Malika, both diagnosed with the disease. Dr. Buddhika Bandara, a veterinary surgeon from Sri Lanka with experience treating elephants with TB, is overseeing the delicate process of medicating the giant creatures.
“Treating TB in elephants presents unique challenges,” Dr. Bandara told AFP. “It requires patience and adaptability to ensure the elephants accept the medication.”
The case has also drawn attention from the medical community. “This is an interesting case for me and my students – everyone wants to know about the procedure and its progress,” said Naseem Salahuddin, Head of the Infectious Disease Department at the Indus Hospital and Health Network, who was enrolled to monitor staff.
The situation underscores the importance of animal welfare and disease prevention in zoos and wildlife parks across South Asia. The Karachi Safari Park, which has been previously criticized for its treatment of animals, hopes that this treatment will be successful and improve its reputation. Experts suggest this incident could serve as a valuable lesson for animal care facilities in India, where managing diseases in large animal populations presents similar difficulties. The use of unconventional methods, and the cooperation of international experts like Dr. Bandara, offers a potential template for future interventions.
First Piper 