In Islamabad, Pakistan, the former Marghazar Zoo now appears deserted from the outside with its dilapidated ticket office and overgrown foliage. However, a closer listen might reveal the sounds of monkeys, bears, and even a tiger still echoing within the premises.
Following protests against the mistreatment of animals, the Islamabad High Court ordered the closure of Marghazar Zoo in 2020. The animals were relocated, and the zoo’s premises were handed over to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), responsible for preserving the wildlife of Islamabad and the Margalla Hills National Park.
Taking advantage of Pakistan’s rich biodiversity, the IWMB transformed the old zoo into the Margalla Wildlife Rescue Centre. Collaborating with local animal rights activists and the non-profit organization Second Chance Wildlife, the centre has rescued over 380 animals since 2020, including endangered species like rhesus monkeys, Asian black bears, Indian pangolins, and a Bengal tiger named Baboo.
Baboo, the young tiger, was in critical condition when rescued, but thanks to the dedicated care and treatment at the centre, he made a full recovery. However, as Baboo grew, it became clear he needed more space and the company of other tigers, leading to his successful relocation to a sanctuary in South Africa.
Although the IWMB faces challenges in funding and opposition from the Capital Development Authority, they are committed to providing a sanctuary for rescued animals and focusing on their care over cruelty. The team continues to develop the centre’s capacity to rehabilitate wildlife, including the recent arrival of two leopard cubs, Sultan and Neelu, who will be cared for at the centre following the loss of their mother.