Kavaan Packs Up For Cambodia Amid Tears and Cheers

WEB DESK: Kavaan, the only Asian Elephant in Pakistan gifted by Sri Lanka in 1985 will fly to Cambodia on November 29 at 6pm in a customized crate.

He has received the permit for flying to the Lek’s Sanctuary in Cambodia and since then, it has garnered the attention of the officials which the pachyderm might have longed for during its stay in the country.

The Islamabad high court (IHC) directed the government to shift all animals in the ill-equipped Marghazar Zoo to sanctuaries within a month.

The verdict by Chief Justice Athar Minallah ordered the relocation of a brown bear and Kaavan to sanctuaries.

Before the imminent departure, the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) organized a farewell party for Kavaan, which was termed as the ‘ world’s loneliest elephant’.

His enclosure was filled with colorful balloons while he was given ample treats to eat.

Besides this, a live musical concert for the animal was also organized.

A Beautiful Farewell Retirement Party for Kaavan today ! Volume up the music calls on Kaavan and as magnificent as he is he comes 💃🎶❤️ pic.twitter.com/JDnhpKLTVc

— Anika 🇨🇦 🇵🇰 (@anikasleem) November 23, 2020

The farewell was attended by the Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Environment Malik Amin Aslam and many others who wanted to see the elephant free.

President of Pak @ArifAlvi paid a visit to Islamabad #Zoo to pay #farewell to The World’s loneliest 🐘 #Kaavan. He was briefed about Kaavan’s leaving #Pakistan 🇵🇰 on 29 Nov 2020 to be shifted to a sanctuary in #Cambodia 🇰🇭.@IsbZooFriends @Furryk2h @CitysFElephants @WildlifeBoard pic.twitter.com/RJowRvLBzj

— ADNAN HAMEED (@AHQ600) November 24, 2020

President Arif Alvi, also visited Kavaan and wished him a cheerful life ahead.

Retirement of Kaavan to Cambodia is a result of consideration of the feelings of animals. Mohd bin Musa Al-Damiri wrote a book حیات الحیوان in 14th century. In intro he says that he wants to change wrong human beliefs about animals. That they have intelligence and strong feelings https://t.co/jHtRxg8MBf

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) November 24, 2020

Cher referred to as “Goddess of Pop” and the producer of the film Cher’s Elephant Airlift, also played a vital role to get the animal freedom it deserved.

She thanked the Pakistani government in a tweet.

I WISH TO THANK THE
PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT❣️

— Cher (@cher) May 21, 2020

Kavaan had become mentally sick after the death of his partner Saheli and since then he was living in solitude.

It even suffered from various health issues.

But now, Kavaan is all set to fly to a new home and certainly to find friends among 80 elephants in the Lek’s sanctuary spread over 25,000 acres.