A gentle giant that was named the world’s loneliest elephant has finally been allowed to leave its enclosure and live the rest of its life in better conditions.
Kaavan the elephant, who had been kept in horrible conditions at a Pakistani zoo for 35 years, has finally been approved for transfer following a four-year-long campaign to rescue the animal.
As Martin Bauer of Four Paws, an international animal welfare organization, explained, Kaavan has already undergone a medical examination and has been approved for transfer.
According to the spokesperson, the elephant will most likely be transferred to a sanctuary in Cambodia where he will be able to find solace in freedom of movement and other rescue animals.
Previously, in May, the High Court of Pakistan ordered the closure of Marghazar Zoo following years of animal neglect and poor living conditions at the park.
“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,” Bauer explained.
Fortunately, however, the zoo’s closure finally allowed activists to push forward with their agenda to free Kaavan from his solitary life at the zoo.
As the medical examination of the elephant revealed, Kaavan shows signs of malnutrition despite being overweight. In addition, the poor elephant faces a series of physical health problems, including overgrown and cracked nails, caused by living in a tiny enclosure for years.
According to Bauer, Kaavan’s recovery will be long and hard especially because the elephant is also suffering from behavioral issues caused by loneliness.
“He also developed stereotypical behavior, which means he shakes his head back and forth for hours. This is mainly because he is simply bored,” Bauer explained.
Despite all the challenges, Four Paws experts thoroughly examined Kaavan and determined he is ready for transfer to an elephant sanctuary where he will live out the rest of his years.
Replaced!