Kaavan the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ is getting a new home

Posted on 6 September 2020

Kaavan, an adult male elephant has spent the last 35 years living in the dilapidated Marghazar Zoo in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, alone.

He was awarded the unfortunate title of the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ by a number of animal rights groups and celebrities who tirelessly fought against his inhumane living conditions.

Along with living in isolation, Kaavan is overweight and suffers from a number of psychological and physical ailments. Kaavan also surfers from cracked nails and damaged feet caused by years of endless pacing on unstable ground.

‘A lack of physical and behavioral enrichments, as well as the absence of a partner, have resulted in Kaavan becoming incredibly bored’. said Frank Göritz, head veterinarian at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin in a statement. ‘He has already developed stereotypical behavior where he swooshes his head and trunk from side to side for hours.’

Now, it looks as though Kaavan is finally about to get a new lease on life as veterinarians with the animal aid group Four Paws International confirmed that he would be relocated to an elephant sanctuary in Cambodia, according to the Washington Post. The exact location of his new home has not been disclosed.

According to a statement by Four Paws, ‘Following the checks, which confirmed Kaavan is strong enough, steps will now be taken to finalize his relocation.’

Kaavan’s long awaited relocation comes after years of advocacy by both animal rights groups and a number of celebrates including Cher. In May of this year Pakistan’s High Court ruled that Kaavan’s inhuman home, the Marghazar Zoo, must be shut down due to ‘systematic neglect and unsafe conditions for animals,’ according to the Washington Post.

This announcement was welcomed by animal rights groups and pop star, Cher, who promptly tweeted out in celebration, saying ‘We have just heard from Pakistani High Court Kaavan is free.’

 

Martin Bauer, a spokesman for Four Paws, told the Associated Press that no travel date for Kaavan’s relocation was yet set.

 

Image credit: Twitter/ @IsbZooFriends






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