PEOPLE - Half human, half animal - who is Mumtaz Mehel?

This is Mumtaz Mehel – half human, half animal

For years, Mumtaz Mehel has been the centre of attention 
of people coming for entertainment to Karachi Zoo.

With lipstick, powder and cream applied to her face, Mumtaz 
Mehel wiggles her tail and moved her hands to entertain people 
– she sometimes chats with them, too.

MUMTAZ MEHEL: People coming here ask different questions like 
what I eat where I live, who has brought me here and how.

I eat everything except for spicy food.Aunty feeds me and dresses me up.

Mumtaz has acquired this appearance to earn livelihood.

Very few people know Mumtaz Mehel’s true identity.

Meeting Mumtaz Mehel is not a hard task. Just pay Rs5 for 
a ticket and meet her.

People stand in queues to get a glimpse of Mumtaz Mehel. Children, 
elders, women – everyone comes to see her more than animals.

VISITOR: This is good entertainment for people.

VISITOR: I liked it, it’s beautiful.

VISITOR: I liked it.

Despite being a human, for all these years, Mumtaz Mehel has 
taken up this appearance to entertain people. Her emotions are 
no different from them, but changing your identity for 
livelihood is a difficult task.

Mumtaz Mehel is not real; it’s a fictitious and self-made 
character which has been amusing and entertaining people 
coming to Karachi Zoo.