The Journey of Kaavan: The World’s Loneliest Elephant
The elephant dubbed the loneliest in the world has been flown from Pakistan to his new home at a sanctuary in Cambodia. Kaavan the elephant was accompanied on the trip by Oscar-winning actress and singer, Cher, who helped arrange the rescue along with her charity, Free the Wild.
Kaavan’s Early Life
The 36-year-old elephant was gifted to Pakistan by the Sri Lankan government in 1985, when he was just one year old. He spent most of his life at the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, living in an unsuitable environment that restricted his movement. As a result, Kaavan developed numerous physical and psychological issues, including cracked and malformed nails, amplified by the loneliness following the death of his only companion, Saheli, in 2012.
Cher’s Dedication to Kaavan
After discovering through social media that Kaavan was helplessly chained at the zoo, wildlife advocate Cher, 74, committed herself to rescuing him. This remarkable effort will be featured in a documentary by the Smithsonian Channel set to air in 2021. “I found out about Kaavan from the people on my Twitter,” Cher explained. “They would not stop saying ‘Cher, you have to do something, you have to fix this, you have to save him.’ I thought, how can I fix this? How can I save an elephant who’s been shackled for 17 years and who is a thousand miles away?”
The Rescue and New Beginning
The Marghazar Zoo was closed earlier this year by Islamabad’s High Court, during which the animal welfare organization, Four Paws, received permission to remove Kaavan. Consequently, he will now thrive in a sprawling jungle enclosure at the non-profit Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, already home to three other elephants, where most of his food will be provided naturally. Cher and Free the Wild played pivotal roles in the relocation process, with Cher even traveling to Pakistan to express gratitude to the government and accompany Kaavan and his veterinarians on his flight to freedom.
During her visit, Cher met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, who expressed appreciation for her efforts and invited her to engage further in environmental initiatives. Moreover, she shared a special moment with Kaavan by serenading him with “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.” According to the Smithsonian Channel, “Kaavan’s trainers have discovered that singing calms him, and Cher is eager to assist,” emphasizing the extraordinary bond forming between them.
