A year after being freed from captivity, the elephant who was previously known as “the world’s loneliest” is now again finding friends and “living the life he deserves.” After being rescued from a Pᴀᴋɪsᴛᴀɴi zoo, Kaavan the elephant is now flourishing in the Cᴀᴍʙᴏᴅɪᴀn jungle, according to Dr. Amir Khalil from the international animal welfare organization Four Paws.
The Asian elephant had previously lived in captivity for 35 years, and since the passing of his mate in 2012, he has been living alone for the last eight years. One year after his rescue, he is now thriving in his new home at the Cᴀᴍʙᴏᴅɪᴀ Wildlife Sanctuary and leading a life befitting an elephant.
He has found his natural inclinations and can appreciate being around other elephants. Kaavan is currently leading a fulfilling life. Kaavan hasn’t yet been socialized with other elephants, but the CWS team is keeping an eye on his progress and will decide if he shows any desire in having a friend if that happens. Until then, the elephants can interact amicably by touching one other’s trunks and becoming accustomed to each other’s smell in nearby cages.
Although spending 35 years in captivity produces a lot of trauma, Kaavan is overcoming it by exploring his large jungle area and taking baths in his pond. He displays major behavioral issues in the Pᴀᴋɪsᴛᴀɴi zoo, tossing his head and walking back and forth in the gloomy area.
The team had to come up with inventive ways to make sure Kaavan didn’t feel anxious during the flight from Pᴀᴋɪsᴛᴀɴ to Siem Reap. “Kaavan’s rescue was an unbelievable experience,” Dr. Amir stated. During a global epidemic, they transported an elephant from Pᴀᴋɪsᴛᴀɴ to Cᴀᴍʙᴏᴅɪᴀ together with Cher, who assisted the organization and local authorities in the rescue.He said that they were happy as a part of this truly unique story.
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