Kaavan the elephant hyears alone at Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad after his companion Saheli die but after campaigns took place the giant was finally released and freed to a new home
Kaavan, the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’, spent 35 years shackled in chains.
The bull elephant – who was sent to Pakistan in 1985 as a gift – lived at Maraghazar Zoo in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, and was left completely alone following the death of his companion Saheli in 2012. The pair had lived together since 1990, and after her death, he was forced to share his enclosure with her remains.
Compounding his suffering, Kaavan was restricted to a cramped enclosure measuring just 90m by 140m with minimal shelter, leaving him exposed to the scorching sun. With temperatures soaring to a sweltering 40C in Islamabad, the solitary elephant had no refuge from the intense heat.
Tragically, even his keeper, Mohammad Jalal, admitted: “I have hardly seen him happy.” In 2020, campaigners reported that Kaavan’s living conditions had worsened significantly. Dr Amir Khalil, from the charity Four Paws, explained: “Due to the lack of any exercise whatsoever and inappropriate diet, his toe nails are in very bad condition due to the lack of proper foot care and appropriate flooring.
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“Mentally, he was also in a poor state – showing severe stereotypical behaviour and also aggressive attitude to humans. This can be easily explained by the lack of any mental enrichment and contact with other elephants, as well as humans – his mahouts were merely piling up the food in a single place once a day in his enclosure and then going home.”
When reports surfaced that Kaavan was allegedly restrained at all times, hundreds of thousands of concerned individuals signed a petition demanding he be relocated to a sanctuary offering superior care. N
The campaign garnered support from global celebrities including Cher, who expressed outrage at the elephant’s treatment. Zoo officials maintained that Kaavan was no longer being chained, yet his long-promised new companion never materialised, forcing the elephant to endure continued solitude.
Authorities insisted he had only been restrained during episodes of aggressive behaviour, though disturbing allegations emerged that Kaavan had been subjected to beatings in attempts to manage his temperament.
Safwan Shahab Ahmad, vice chairman of Pakistan Wildlife Foundation who has observed the elephant since the 1990s, explained that behaviours such as head bobbing indicated “a kind of mental illness”. The elephant was frequently observed swaying and bobbing his head within his enclosure.
However, following an extensive legal battle, a court ruling mandated that Kaavan be transferred to an elephant sanctuary, with a subsequent order in July 2020, specifying his relocation to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kaavan was relocated to a Cambodia in November 2020 and the heartwarming news delighted everyone across the globe. Among those celebrating was Cher, who declared: “This is one of the greatest moments of my life.” The singer also sang on-site as the preparations for his transport were underway.
Kavaan safely walked into the crate and the team managed to transport him to the airport, where he was loaded onto a plane and taken to Cambodia. Dr Frank Goeritz, head veterinarian at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and Dr Amir Khalil were by his side during the journey to help support the giant.
He was transferred to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, where he received the urgent care he desperately needed and, crucially, have companions for socialisation. According to Four Paws, following the long journey from Pakistan to his new home, Kaavan was able to leave his transport crate once he arrived and enjoyed a warm welcome with a juicy fruitcake and a banana tree leaves trail made especially for him.
“Then, a very special moment for Kaavan and everyone who has followed his journey, after eight long and lonely years, Kaavan had his first integration with another elephant. Kaavan will finally have the chance to live a species-appropriate and peaceful life.”
Four Paws reported that Kavaan is now “loving and exploring his own jungle” at the sanctuary and said he is able to explore in his new enclosure and adapting to his spacious and green home. Dr Khalil also said he has already noticed a significant improvement.
Dr Khalil then highlighted the devastating consequences loneliness can inflict upon elephants. He explained: “Elephants are social animals and in the wild live in groups. They are also one of the most intelligent species on earth. Separating an elephant from his family and keeping him in solitude can have very negative effects on their mental health.”
“Kaavan’s behaviour started to change after the death of Saheli and he became more aggressive to humans, as if blaming them for the death of his partner. Since the mahouts knew no other way to deal with the situation, they kept him on a short chain for many years to follow, thus only aggravating his mental condition.”
Government minister Malik Amin Aslam declared that authorities would “free this elephant with a kind heart, and will ensure that he lives a happy life.”
