Kaavan, the elephant, lives alone in Islamabad’s Margazar Zoo after the death of his companion, but after campaigns, the giant was eventually released and taken to a new home.
A giant elephant was given as a gift but remained isolated for 35 years (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
‘The world’s loneliest elephant’, Kaavan, spent 35 years in chains.
The bull elephant – who was sent to Pakistan as a gift in 1985 – lived at Maraghazar Zoo in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, and was left completely alone after the death of his companion in 2012. The pair had been living together since 1990, and after her death, he was forced to share his enclosure with her remains.
Adding to his suffering, Kaavan was confined to a cramped enclosure measuring only 90 m x 140 m with minimal shelter, exposing him to the scorching sun. With temperatures rising up to 40°C in Islamabad, the lone elephant had no place to escape the scorching heat.
The sad thing is that even his protector, Mohammad Jalal, admitted, “I hardly ever saw him happy.” In 2020, campaigners reported that Kavan’s living conditions had deteriorated significantly. Dr Amir Khalil, of the charity Four Paws, said, “Their toenails are in very poor condition due to a lack of exercise, an improper diet, insufficient foot care, and inadequate flooring.”
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Vishal was freed in 2020 after worldwide campaigns (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
“Mentally, he was also in poor condition – showing severe stereotypical behaviour and even an aggressive attitude towards humans. This can be easily explained by the lack of mental enrichment and contact with other elephants and humans; his mahouts collected food in one place in his enclosure once a day and then went home.
When reports surfaced that Kaavan was allegedly restrained at all times, thousands of concerned individuals signed a petition demanding that he be transferred to a sanctuary that provided better care.
The campaign received support from global celebrities, including Cher, who expressed outrage over the treatment of the elephant. Zoo officials say Kaavan is no longer being chained, yet his long-promised new companion never materialised, forcing the elephant to endure continued solitude.
Authorities insisted he was restrained only during aggressive behaviour, but disturbing allegations emerged that Kaavan was beaten in efforts to control his temper.
Safwan Shahab Ahmed, vice president of the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation, said that behaviours such as head shaking indicate “a kind of mental illness,” based on his observations of the elephant since the 1990s. The elephant was often seen swaying and shaking its head inside its enclosure.
He was kept in chains and isolated for 35 years in Pakistan (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
However, after an extensive legal battle, a court ruling ordered that Kaavan be transferred to an elephant sanctuary, followed by an order in July 2020 specifying his transfer to a Cambodian wildlife sanctuary.
Kaavan was transferred to Cambodia in November 2020, and this heartwarming news made everyone around the world happy. Among those celebrating was Cher, who declared, “This is one of the greatest moments of my life.” The singer also sang at the site as preparations for his transportation were underway.
Kaavan went safely in the crate and the team managed to get him to the airport, where he was loaded on a plane and flown to Cambodia. Dr Frank Goeritz and Dr Amir Khalil, head veterinarians of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, accompanied Vishal during the trip to assist him.
They were transferred to a Cambodian wildlife sanctuary, where they received the immediate care they needed and, most importantly, found companions for socialisation. According to Four Paws, after a long journey from Pakistan to his new home, Kaavan was able to leave his transport crate upon arrival and received a warm welcome with juicy fruit cakes and banana tree leaf scones made especially for him.
“Then, after eight long and lonely years, Kaavan experienced a very special moment by reuniting for the first time with another elephant, bringing joy to everyone who has followed his journey.” Kaavan will finally get the chance to live a species-compliant and peaceful life.”
Four Paws reported that Kaavan is now “loving and exploring his wilderness” at the sanctuary and said he is able to explore his new enclosure and embrace his spacious and green home. Dr Khalil also said that he has already seen a significant improvement in Kaavan’s behaviour and overall well-being since his arrival at the sanctuary in Kaavan’s behaviour and overall well-being since his arrival at the sanctuary.
Dr Khalil then highlighted the devastating consequences that loneliness has on elephants. “Elephants are social animals and live in groups in the wild. They are one of the most intelligent species on Earth. Separating an elephant from its family and keeping it in solitary confinement can have a very negative impact on their mental health,” he explained.
“After his friend’s death, Kaavan’s behaviour began to change, and he became more aggressive toward humans, as if blaming them for his partner’s death.” Since the mahouts knew no other way to deal with the situation, they kept him on a short chain for several years, thus only worsening his mental state.”
Government minister Malik Amin Aslam announced that officials would “free this elephant with a kind heart and ensure that he lives a happy life.”
