After 35 years, Kaavan finds freedom in Cambodia

Kaavan's departure was delayed by 10 hours due to the closure of the Indian airspace

Web Desk

November 30, 2020

The animal was brought to Pakistan as a young calf from Sri Lanka after the country gifted the elephant to Pakistan 35 years ago. Photo: Geo. tv/File

Dubbed as the world's loneliest elephant, Kaavan arrived in Cambodia Monday afternoon in a special Russian chartered plane with a 10-member team comprising foreigners, eight of them technicians and two doctors - his best friend Dr Ami Khalil and Dr Frank Goeritz.

Waiting to welcome Kaavan in Cambodia was American singer Cher. “Kaavan was eating, was not stressed and he even slept a little bit whilst leaning on the wall of the crate! He behaves like a ‘Frequent Flyer’," wrote Four Paws on Twitter.

Earlier today, Kaavan took off from the Islamabad International Airport (IIA) in a container. His departure was delayed by 10 hours as the Indian airspace remained closed.

According to a news report published in The News, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change (SAPM) Malik Amin Aslam, in his brief address on an occasion organised to bid farewell to the elephant, said the next phase of Kavaan’s life has started today.

He said the reception committee will be ready at the Cambodian airport to receive ‘Kavaan’. He said, “We will make this open enclosure zoo cum sanctuary and will provide world-class facilities.”

Initially, a 10-acre area would be given to ‘Kavaan’ where the animal will be able to interact with other elephants.

The minister further said that it was a new day as Kavaan’s loneliness was coming to an end, adding that it was not possible for the animal to live without others since it was a herd animal.

The animal was brought to Pakistan as a young calf from Sri Lanka after the country gifted the elephant to Pakistan 35 years ago. Another elephant had come with him but she died years ago.

Kaavan was chained over '"violent behaviour" in 2002. Activists dubbed him the “world’s loneliest elephant” after his plight gained international attention and the elephant was diagnosed as emotionally and physically unstable.

He was later unchained the same year, with activists calling for his release from the zoo in Pakistan. Veterinarians had also said that the animal was malnourished and overweight.