LAHORE – Film actress Reema Khan, on Saturday, made a public appearance at the Lahore Zoo, where she, in capacity of Zoo Ambassador, made the declaration of adopting two chinkaras (Indian Gazelle fawns).
Speaking to Pakistan Today, Reema, whose background has never been associated with wildlife and nature conservation before, and who has taken a swift turn with regard to endorsing conservation of the environment, says that it is integral for all Pakistanis to understand that certain animals and species are under extreme threat and danger, and that they should be conserved.
With the adoption programme offered by the Lahore Zoo, anyone can adopt an animal they are interested in and they will therefore be responsible for its upbringing. “I will pay for a year, and during that time, all expenses for the animal’s health will be my responsibility,” says the actress.
“I have always been interested in animals but this practical turn of events took place after I was voted for ‘most popular personality’ in an internal survey, and so I was told I should endorse this issue,” she says. Reema has been made the zoo ambassador for the entire country’s zoos and is not just confined to Lahore. Director Khalid Iqbal says that she will be involved in education awareness activities and programmes and has encouraged the need to adopt and to put effort in the conservation of birds and other animals in the zoo.
Reema also addressed the need for all those with finances to come forward and adopt animals of their own interest. She directed her request especially to multinationals that could easily afford such expenses and had a corporate social responsibility as a reason to do this. “I want my country’s image to be better where environment is concerned,” she said.
“We will also be launching a zoo safari very soon, so more animals need to be bred for that too,” she said.
