'World's Loneliest Elephant' Granted Permission To Leave Zoo For Better Life

Sep 06, 2020

In an announcement on Satuday, September 5th, 2020, Kaavan, an elephant originally from Sri Lanka will now be moved from the Murghazar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan to a sanctuary in Cambodia after many calls from people and celebrities to free the animal from its lonely zoo life since 2016.

An elephant who has become cause célèbre for animal rights activists around the world will be allowed to leave his Pakistani zoo and transferred to better conditions, Four Paws—the animal welfare group helping with the case—said Saturday.

Dubbed the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ by his supporters, Kaavan has languished at a zoo in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad for more than 35 years.

According to AP News, Martin Bauer, a spokesman for Four Paws, said the elephant has been finally given medical approval to travel, most likely to Cambodia, where he will find companionship and better conditions.

Earlier this year, singer Cher was touched by the plight of this elephant. She was among those who had been campaigning for his release. She could see that his living space was too small. She was troubled by the chains and the dirty-looking pond where he was supposed to play. 

She partnered with Free the Wild, an animal rights organization, in order to boost the campaign for Kaavan's release from the Islamabad zoo. The influence of the two paired together to help win Kaavan his freedom after living many years alone, and even in chains at some points in time.

In May of 2020, she finally heard the news that her objective had been reached, and tweeted about it. The high court in Islamabad had decided the case in Kaavan's favor; he would be re-homed to a sanctuary with the help of the High Commissioner from Kaavan's native country of Sri Lanka. Finally, Kaavan will have other elephants to befriend.

Though it took four years to secure Kaavan's release, she never forgot about him and tweeted several tweets to show her gratitude to the Pakistani government for his freedom from the zoo and relocation to a sanctuary that will be decided before June 21st between Pakistani and Sri Lankan officials. 

According to Metro, Bauer added that Four Paws was invited by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board to safely transfer the remaining animals in the zoo. Until now, Kaavan has been forced to live in solitary confinement in a small enclosure.

He said, "Following the checks, which confirmed Kaavan is strong enough, steps will now be taken to finalise his relocation to an animal sanctuary potentially in Cambodia."

But, Kaavan’s recovery will be a long one, said Bauer, adding that his wounds are more than just physical as the elephant also suffers behavioral issues.

Did you follow the story of Kaavan the elephant? Will you be following him now? Let us know your thoughts and be sure to pass this on to elephant lovers so they can hear of the good news!