“World’s loneliest elephant” kept in a tiny enclosure for 35 years will be allowed to leave Pakistani zoo in seek for better life

The ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ will finally have the chance to live in better conditions.

• Kaavan, the elephant, who has spent over three decades in terrible conditions in a Pakistani zoo, will finally have the chance to live in a proper environment.
• Animal welfare activists established a campaign helping Kaavan to receive medical approval to travel.
• The elephant will most likely be moved to Cambodia where he would live in significantly better conditions.

The poor animal has languished at a zoo in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad for more than 35 years. A campaign established by animal welfare activists helped Kaavan the elephant to ensure him a better environment away from the tiny enclosure of the zoo, Daily Mail reports.

According to Martin Bauer, a spokesman for Four Paws, Kaavan, who is also overweight, underwent a full medical examination at the zoo. Thankfully, after the examination, the elephant has finally received medical approval to travel, most likely in Cambodia, where he will find a good home, and he will no longer be lonely.

In May, the Marghazar Zoo, where Kaavan lived in solitude for more than three decades, was closed by Pakistan’s High Court due to its unacceptable conditions blamed on systematic negligence. Animal activists around the world, including celebrities like the iconic pop singer Cher, united and worked together to rescue the lonely animal.

Sadly, two lions who also lived in the Pakistani zoo died before having the chance to be rescued. Bauer said:

“Unfortunately, the rescue comes too late for two lions that died during an attempted transfer at the end of July after local animal handlers set a fire in their enclosure to force them into their transport crates.”

It was Islamabad Wildlife Management Board that contacted the welfare organization Four Paws in a bid to save the animals at the zoo.

Due to the horrific setting the elephant was forced to live in, his health was in a critical condition.

The examination showed that Kaavan was overweight, even though he displayed signs of malnutrition. His nails were overgrown and cracked, which was a result of the years of living in a tiny cage with flooring that hurt his feet. Luckily, the tests showed the animal is healthy enough to move to a place with proper environmental conditions. Bauer added: 

 “Following the checks, which confirmed Kaavan is strong enough, steps will now be taken to finalize his relocation to an animal sanctuary potentially in Cambodia.”

However, the spokesman notes that the elephant’s recovery will be a long journey, both physically and emotionally. In 2012, Kaavan lost his life partner and later suffered behavioral issues. Both the loss and the loneliness afterward have taken their toll on his wellbeing.

Wildlife veterinarians and experts have lobbied for his relocation since 2016. The activists have worked hard on making it possible for Kaaavan to travel to a better place where he would find friends and cure his heartache.