‘World’s Loneliest Elephant’ Moving To Sanctuary, With Help From Cher

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Kaavan, pictured Friday in Islamabad, will be transported to a sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday.

Anjum Naveed/AP

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Anjum Naveed/AP

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The sanctuary has three female elephants to keep Kaavan company. It’s «the best hope for him, Bauer said.

«The goal is to socialize him. It will take a while because he has lived on his own for such a long time. But yes, ultimately the goal is to bring him together with other animals because that’s what elephants want. They’re herd animals, they always form families, and that’s also what we plan for him.

Animal rights activists say Kaavan spent years in chains and didn’t receive appropriate veterinary care.

The Islamabad High Court ruled in May that the animals kept in Marghazar Zoo were held in cruel conditions and the zoo should be closed. In July a court approved the plan to move Kaavan to Cambodia.

Four Paws has been involved in relocating other animals from the zoo, including wolves, monkeys and rabbits, and plans to relocate bears next month.

For the last three months, the focus has been preparing Kaavan for the trip.

Speaking from Pakistan, Bauer said Friday that «everything is going according to plan for Kaavan.

«He’s doing well. He was very cooperative — because elephants can be quite stubborn — but he showed good will. And he’s a good boy. And yes, all is fine and it looks very promising that we can leave Pakistan on Sunday.