Pakistan’s Lone Elephant, Kaavan, Begins Journey to Cambodia

Animal rights advocates celebrated as Pakistan’s only Asian elephant, Kaavan, prepared for his relocation to cambodia after years of campaigning.

The 35-year-old elephant, who had spent most of his life at Islamabad’s zoo, received a send-off filled with music, treats, and balloons, a farewell organized by local animal lovers.

Kaavan’s condition has drawn international concern, shedding light on the poor state of the Islamabad Zoo.

The facility has been heavily criticized for inadequate care, with conditions so dire that a judge ordered the relocation of all the animals in May.

After months of medical care and training, Kaavan is ready to be flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday, according to Saleem Shaikh, Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change spokesperson.

The farewell celebration included performances by local bands, and signs decorated the zoo, wishing Kaavan well.

“We want to wish him a happy retirement,” said Marion Lombard, deputy mission leader for Four Paws International, the animal welfare organization that spearheaded his relocation.

Kaavan has lived in Islamabad since being brought from Sri Lanka decades ago. After the death of his mate, Saheli, in 2012, Kaavan’s distress became more apparent, showing signs of mental strain, such as head-bobbing, and concerns grew about his mental health.

Activists also criticized the zoo for not properly protecting Kaavan from the extreme heat, with temperatures in Islamabad often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

Kaavan’s plight caught the attention of international celebrities, including pop icon Cher, who publicly supported his relocation. She called the decision to move him one of the “greatest moments” of her life.

Despite past claims by zoo officials that Kaavan’s care was adequate and that he was merely grieving the loss of his mate, his deteriorating condition spurred efforts to find him a better environment.

Kaavan’s new chapter begins in Cambodia, where he will spend his remaining years in a sanctuary.

Comments

Samudra the Elephant Enjoys a Muddy Cool Down at Oregon Zoo

Samudra, a 12-year-old Asian elephant, was recently captured on video having a splashing good time in a large mud puddle at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. The playful elephant rolled and kicked in the mud as zoo staff sprayed him with water to help him stay cool on a warm day. In the video, Samudra can be seen lying down, lifting his legs in the air, and fully submerging himself in the mud. He playfully kicked water around as he enjoyed his muddy bath, splashing anyone nearby. Samudra was born at the zoo in 2008 and is known for his love of water. He often swims in the zoo’s 160,000-gallon pool in Elephant Lands, a habitat he shares with his sister Lily. His name, “ocean” in Sanskrit, reflects his strong water connection. Asian elephants, like Samudra, are the largest land mammals in Asia and are classified as an endangered species. They have three subspecies: Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan. These elephants are generally smaller than their African counterparts, with skin that ranges

Playful Baby Elephants Slide Down a Muddy Hill in Thailand

A group of young elephants in northern Thailand found a creative way to navigate a steep, muddy slope—sliding down on their knees. The adorable moment was captured at Elephant Freedom Village in Chiang Mai province, where the elephants were out for a leisurely walk. Rather than walking down the hill like the rest of the group, some of the elephants opted to slide down the muddy slope, using their front legs to push off and their back legs trailing behind. The playful animals glided down on their bellies, making for a heartwarming scene. Non, a mahout (elephant keeper) at the village, filmed the fun-filled event on September 15. He shared his delight at watching the elephants enjoy themselves, saying, “This is the cutest rollercoaster I have ever seen. My kids looked happy, and I’m glad they enjoyed the outdoors.” Elephant Freedom Village, a non-profit organization, works to rescue elephants and rehabilitate them back into their natural habitat. They spend most of their time in the for

Elephant Uses Tree to Scratch an Itch in Heartwarming Video

It seems humans aren’t the only ones who struggle with a stubborn itch they can’t quite reach. In Sri Lanka, an elephant found a clever way to solve this problem, using a Tree to ease its irritation Unable to reach the itch on its back with its trunk, the elephant discovered that the rough bark of a nearby tree worked perfectly. An adorable video taken at Kalawewa National Park on October 26 shows the elephant sliding its body up against the tree to scratch the bothersome spot. The elephant appears relieved, spending nearly a minute rubbing against the tree to ease the itch The footage shows the 11-foot-tall animal scratching its belly and lifting its left leg to address another itch. Though it moved around to tackle different spots, the elephant returned to scratch its rear for another 20 seconds, clearly enjoying its “tree scratcher.” Read more Elephant News.

New Daily 24H

Search This Blog