P L D 2021 Islamabad 102 (PLP)

C.M. No.3976 of 2020 ATHAR MINALLAH, C.J.

Barrister Sardar Ijaz Ishaq, learned counsel for Ms. Naheed S. Durrani, Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan and Barrister Danyal Hassan, learned counsel for the Chairperson of Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") have appeared. They have informed that the Board, in its meeting held on 11th December, 2020 deliberated regarding the relocation of the two Himalayan brown bears to an appropriate sanctuary. The Board, after obtaining opinions from the experts, has decided to relocate forthwith the two brown bears, namely Suzie and Bubloo, to a sanctuary established in the Kingdom of Jordan. A copy of the minutes of the Board's meeting has also been submitted and it shall be read as an integral part of this order.

2. It is heartening for this Court to note that the Board has correctly appreciated the jurisprudence laid down in its judgment, dated 21-05-2020, passed in W.P. No.1155/2019, titled "Islamabad Wildlife Management Board through its Chairman v. Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad through its Mayor and 4 others". The natural habitat of Suzie and Bubloo, the two incarcerated brown bears, was the high altitude plateau of Deosai National Park in the Himalayas. It was indeed inhumane to have deprived them of living in their natural habitat merely for the entertainment of the human species. They have remained caged in the Marghazar zoo for more than a decade. A zoo, no matter how well equipped, is no less than a concentration camp for living beings. Both the bears were sent by the Creator to live free in their natural habitats. They were born free and taking them out of their natural habitat and caging them was in violation of the natural rights bestowed upon them by the Creator. They were imprisoned without having committed a crime. By depriving them of their natural habitat, the human species has interfered with the balance created in nature by the Creator. They were subjected to unimaginable pain and suffering and there was no justification for this cruel treatment other than to entertain the human species. They have suffered enough and they lack the ability to let the human species know what they must have gone through. Their abnormal behavior while imprisoned was sufficient to speak volumes for the unimaginable pain and suffering. 3. "Kaavan", the elephant, has already been relocated to a sanctuary in Cambodia. The reports received from Cambodia is a tribute to the people of Pakistan and its Government who accepted the jurisprudence of this Court and implemented it in letter and spirit. The relocation of "Kaavan", the elephant, and the two Himalayan brown bears, Suzie and Bubloo, to appropriate sanctuaries has set a precedent for others to follow. They will always represent the people of Pakistan and their resolve to treat living species with respect and dignity. It is an acknowledgement that animal species have rights and that it is a duty of humans to protect them. The survival of the human species on this planet is dependent on the existence and protection of the animal species and their natural habitats. Kaavan, Suzie and Bubloo will always be ambassadors of the people of Pakistan, a reminder that the human race can go extinct if the animal species and their rights are not protected. They will serve as symbols of the empathy and respect that the animal species deserve from humans and a reminder that protecting their rights and their welfare is of paramount importance. They will remain the messengers of the people of Pakistan for the rest of humanity that it is time to end imprisoning sentient animal species in cages in a zoo and to restore the balance of nature by letting them live with dignity in their respective natural habitats so that they may enjoy their natural rights. This is the scheme of nature created by the Creator and disturbing it is not humane.

4. Both Suzie and Bubloo, the brown bears, could have been taken care of in Pakistan but time was required for creating an enabling environment and a facility that would serve as a sanctuary. This Court records its appreciation for the decision of the Board not to subject these sentient living beings to further pain and suffering even for a day and to relocate them to an appropriate sanctuary in the Kingdom of Jordan till a facility could be established that would meet their behavioral, physiological and social needs. This is a step towards changing mindsets and would definitely contribute towards fighting the evils that today threaten the peaceful existence of the human species on this plant because it is a recognition of a fundamental principle; life is the most precious creation of the Creator and its protection is a duty of every human. There will be no crime, violence, or bloodshed if this principle is acknowledged as the purpose of human existence on this planet. Every form of life is an end in itself.

5. This Court would also like to avail this opportunity by recognizing the valuable and laudable services rendered by Dr. Amir Khalil and his organization Four Paws in assisting the Board and the Government of Pakistan and to enable spreading the message in the rest of the world that the welfare of sentient animal species and protecting their natural rights is of paramount importance. This Court wishes the two brown bears, Suzie and Bubloo, a safe journey to their temporary abode with the hope that, being magnanimous by nature, they would forgive the human race for subjecting them to unimaginable pain and suffering.

6. This application stands disposed of in terms of the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 11th December, 2020. MH/196/Isl. Order accordingl