Legendary actress and singer Cher has arrived in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad to see that Kaavan, called the world’s loneliest elephant for spending years in isolation, is airlifted to a sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday.
Kaavan, a 36-year-old Asian elephant, has been languishing in Islamabad Zoo near Marghzar for much of his life. A large part of his life has been without a partner, who died in 2012.
Cher took up the cause of safe rehabilitation of the animal in far-away Cambodia, after media stories highlighted the plight of the animal.
On Friday, Cher met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan. She thanked the Khan for making it possible for her to take Kaavan to Cambodia.
The prime minister’s office said that Imran Khan had thanked Cher and invited her to participate further in environmental initiatives in Pakistan.
The iconic star will make a documentary on Kaavan.
🐘Kaavan's journey to freedom from captivity in Islamabad to Cambodia will be a 2021 @SmithsonianChan documentary ❤️ Help us build Kaavan's forever home 🏡 https://t.co/dzdl4Ew4gn 🙏🏻@ftwglobal #KaavansJourney pic.twitter.com/iTxdzfndNB
— Cher (@cher) November 27, 2020
Kaavan will be airlifted to the Cambodian province of Siem Reap. He has been training with international specialists from a rescue organization, Four Paws. The elephant is being prepared for the 10-hour long flight with the help of bananas and other treats to get him used to the small enclosure and loud noises of the plane.
While in Cambodia, Kaavan might still require years of both physical and psychological recovery from years of loneliness and neglect.
This summer, Islamabad High Court had ordered the closure of Marghazar Zoo in the capital of Islamabad, where Kaavan spent much of his life.
A medical examination in September showed Kaavan had cracked and overgrown nails.
The humdrum existence in the Zoo has affected the elephant psychologically.
