Kaavan the elephant lived solo for eight years before he was rehomed in the Cambodian jungle where he has re-learned his animal instincts and is no longer the ‘world’s loneliest’
Kaavan plays happily in his enclosure at Wildlife Sanctuary Cambodia(Image: FOUR PAWS / CATERS NEWS)
An elephant living alone in a zoo for eight years and dubbed ‘the world’s loneliest elephant’ is thriving after being relocated to a jungle.
Dr Amir Khalil, from the global animal welfare organisation, FOUR PAWS, says Kaavan the elephant has rediscovered his natural instincts in the Cambodian jungle a year after he was rescued from captivity in Pakistan.
“While Kaavan has not yet been socialised with other elephants, the team at CWS continues to monitor his development and will determine if he becomes interested in having a companion.
“Until then, neighbouring enclosures allow for the elephants to get used to each other’s smell and touch each other’s trunks, a friendly gesture.
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He had been stuck in deplorable conditions in Islamabad’s Marghazar Zoo, after his mate was said to have died of sepsis in 2012.
This made him the only elephant in Pakistan and international media gave him the title of loneliest elephant in the world.
His case eventually caught the attention of singer Cher who joined in the legal battle to get the zoo to release him and, after five years, the High Court of Pakistan finally agreed to release Kaavan from his cage in the zoo.
Kaavan was transported from Pakistan to Siem Reap by plane and the team had to use creative techniques to ensure the process was stress-free for the elephant.
Since Kavaan’s rescue, the Islamabad High Court announced a ban on the import of new elephants into the country.
Kaavan at Marghazar Zoo in Pakistan before he was rescued(Image: Hristo Vladev/ FOUR PAWS / CATERS NEWS)