In Karachi’s Safari Park, African elephant Madhubala collapsed due to acute weakness and low immunity levels following prolonged tuberculosis treatment. Despite normal lab results, she is receiving antibiotics as a precautionary measure against elevated infection markers detected by tests. The KMC spokesperson confirmed that no fracture was found in X-rays, though swelling on her right hind thigh remains unexplained, possibly stemming from a previous foot abscess. Authorities report steady signs of improvement, with Madhubala now standing independently and maintaining stable vital parameters.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Madhubala, an African elephant at Karachi’s Safari Park, faced a life-threatening medical emergency in September 2026 when she suddenly collapsed and was unable to stand. The park authorities used a crane to lift her and keep her standing while they awaited further instructions from a Sri Lankan wildlife health specialist named Dr. Budhika Bhandara. Tests revealed that Madhubala had developed swelling on her right hind thigh, which might have been due to fighting with another elephant named Malika. She was also suffering from multiple chronic illnesses affecting almost all vital organs and had previously been diagnosed with tuberculosis.
In response to public outcry over the deaths of several captive elephants, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) established an 18-member body to manage Madhubala's and Malika’s care. After further tests including blood and urine analysis, the Safari Park officials stated that Madhubala was now on antibiotics as a precautionary measure despite no bacterial infection being detected; she had elevated infection markers but could stand independently without support from a crane belt by Wednesday.
The elephants were brought to Karachi from Tanzania in 2010 under a controversial arrangement, raising concerns about their treatment and well-being.
Written for “Madhubala Elephant Health Emergency” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Despite carrying out several tests, including an X-ray, over the past two days, the authorities in Safari Park remain clueless about what caused the sudden collapse of African elephant Madhubala in her enclosure, it emerged on Wednesday.
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it → carry → Wednesday
Responding to queries, a spokesperson for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) said that Madhubala suffered from “acute weakness and low immunity levels” following prolonged treatment for tuberculosis and that’s what caused her sudden fall.
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what → respond → fall
“While all her laboratory tests are just fine, she is being given antibiotics as a precautionary measure on the advice of a senior local vet.
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she → give → vet
No fracture has been detected in the X-ray,” KMC spokesperson Daniyal Alishan Siyal told Dawn, adding that all medical reports were emailed to Sri Lankan wildlife health specialist Dr Buddhika for final assessment.
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reports → detect → assessment
When asked why she is being given antibiotics when no bacterial infection has been detected, he said, “I am told that she has elevated infection markers, though no specific cause has been detected.”
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cause → ask → markers
The African elephant is suffering from ‘acute weakness and low immunity levels’
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elephant → suffer → weakness
Madhubala, he pointed out, could now stand on her feet and the supporting crate belt had been removed.
uncertain
belt → point → feet
On the swelling on her right hind thigh, he claimed that, “It was caused by her fall.”
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It → claim → fall
He rejected the information that Madhubala was acutely dehydrated on the day of her fall because there wasn’t sufficient water to keep her cool on hot days.
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Madhubala → reject → days
“There were no power breakdowns that could lead to water issues,” Mr Siyal said.
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Siyal → be → issues
Safari Park Director Amjad Zaidi two days ago stated that it’s apparently the swelling on her right thigh, which was preventing her from using her leg.
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which → state → leg
He had also stated that Madhubala had “recovered” from a foot infection.
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Madhubala → state → infection
Sources stated Madhubala’s swelling on her right hind thigh might be indicating spread of abscess from the foot (on the same affected leg) that she had been fighting for some period.
uncertain
she → state → period
“Elevated infection markers mean her body’s immune system is reacting to a problem, though her test results cannot tell the exact cause,” a senior vet shared.
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vet → mean → cause
Steady signs of improvement: KMC
The KMC released a press statement on Madhubala’s condition, stating that the elephant is showing steady signs of improvement and continues to receive round-the-clock veterinary care and close medical monitoring.
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elephant → release → care
“The latest health assessments have revealed several encouraging signs of improvement.
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assessments → reveal → improvement
Madhubala is now able to stand independently without harness support, marking a positive development in her recovery.
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Madhubala → stand → recovery
Her vital parameters remain stable, while she continues to maintain a good appetite and remains alert and responsive,” it says.
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it → remain → appetite
It further adds that Madhubala is undergoing daily health assessments and blood tests, while X-rays of her hind quarters are also being conducted regularly.
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rays → add → quarters
“These diagnostic procedures are being carried out with the support of the Sindh Institute of Animal Health, enabling veterinary experts to closely monitor her physical condition and evaluate her progress.
“Madhubala’s dedicated keeper team remains with her around the clock.
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team → carry → clock
The keepers, who have been closely involved in her daily care, are working in close coordination with the veterinary team to ensure that she receives appropriate nutrition, care, supervision and support throughout her recovery,” it adds.
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it → involve → recovery
Madhubala had been in solitary confinement at Karachi Zoo following the tragic death of her companion Noor Jehan who died in 2023 after a tragic fall in her enclosure.
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who → follow → enclosure
Noor Jehan’s autopsy report released by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) showed that she died from a severe blood parasitic infection and internal trauma combined with a lack of proper medical care.
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she → release → care
Left alone at the zoo, Madhubala was successfully relocated to Safari Park where she was reunited with her sisters, Sonia and Malika, in November 2024, under the supervision of Four Paws — an international animal welfare organisation that worked extensively with the KMC for elephant care.
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that → leave → care
The success story of her reunion faded soon as Sonia died a month later after collapsing in her Safari enclosure.
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Sonia → fade → enclosure
Lab reports later showed that she suffered from multiple chronic illnesses, affecting almost all vital organs, indicating prolonged neglect in her care and failure in timely diagnosis.
Successive deaths of captive elephants raised public outcry, forcing the KMC to set up an 18-member body to look after Madhubala and Malika, both of whom were diagnosed with tuberculosis.
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both → show → tuberculosis
The four female elephants were brought to Karachi from Tanzania in 2010 at a very young age under a controversial arrangement.
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elephants → bring → arrangement
The Aporia
