Main Image via Voanews

Kaavan, also known as the “world’s loneliest elephant” has arrived to a sanctuary housing in Cambodia after a seven-hour flight from Pakistan. An overweight, 36-year-old bull elephant, Kaavan endured poor conditions and harsh treatment which prompted global uproar from animal rights groups, who petitioned for him to be moved from a Pakistani zoo accused of substandard care and conditions.

In 1985 Kaavan was gifted to Pakistan by Sri Lanka, he was placed un the care of the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan. In 2012, his partner, Saheli, died due to a leg infection. The heartbreaking image of Kaavan standing above the body of his partner shocked the world.

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Kaavan was held in chains for years in an insufficient enclosure and was forced to perform in front of visitors in the poorly managed zoo. His feet are damaged, and nails cracked and overgrown. Improper care and insufficient enclosure with flooring, are believe to be the cause for this condition. The elephant also developed a stereotypical behavior because of his loneliness, the cause of his shaking head back and forth for hours.

Eating 250 kilograms of sugar cane daily, Kaavan was obese. He reportedly lost 450 kilograms before his trip to Cambodia.

Meeting the Pakistani Prime Minster Imran Khan, American singer Cher and her animal welfare group Free the Wild helped secure Kaavan’s release, following support by the Pakistani people and the people across the globe.

After a seven-hour flight from Pakistan in a custom-built enclosure, Kaavan was welcomed to Cambodia by chanting Buddhist monks and sent on his way to a wildlife sanctuary. We hope the gentle giant finally gets the love he deserves.

Info via voanews

Written By Thineshkan