Kaavan’s long ordeal finally comes to an end as lone elephant retires from Islamabad zoo

A zoo is supposed to provide entertainment to public, but it is often a place where animals are kept against the laws of nature, forcing them to become depressed and lonesome. One such case took place in the Islamabad zoo, as an elephant, named Kaavan, was mistreated at the zoo and he had to remain alone for a number of years as his female companion died in 2012.

After seeing the elephant’s condition at the Islamabad zoo, an activist took up the matter into her own hands and raised awareness about the animal’s plight at national and international media eventually resulting in a parliamentary decision to free the animal and send him to a sanctuary abroad.

The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Monday recommended that the 32-year-old elephant should be sent to an accredited sanctuary abroad. The sanctuary chosen for the purpose in located in Myanmar and according to reports, a number of private organizations are ready to bear the transportation cost of sending Kaavan there.

“This is a huge step forward for animal welfare in Pakistan. Now, we hope that Kaavan will finally be free after 30 years of neglect and isolation,” said Samar Khan, a US national of Pakistani-origin, who first took notice of the issue during her visit to the zoo, last year.

After Khan’s efforts brought light to Kaavan’s plight, internationally acclaimed American singer, Cher, also took notice of the incident and joined efforts to free Kaavan from the cruelty of captivity.

It is now being hoped that Kaavan will at last find peace and spend the last few years of his life happily.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=53695

Posted by fatimaarshad on Jul 26 2016. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.