Kaavan, the ‘loney elephant’s’, well-wishers and government officials gathered at Marghazar Zoo for Kaavan’s farewell party, on Monday. After 35 harrowing years at the zoo, Kaavan is finally set to depart this week for his retirement in Cambodia.
Years of campaigning by animal rights activists and international pop star Cher led to permission being granted to move Kaavan to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia.
Farewell for #Kaavan
Special guest SAPM @aminattock of @ClimateChangePK gave a worthwhile farewell to #Kaavan and laid his case very brilliantly. Thank you also to @smujtabahussain, @FaisalJavedKhan for coming! Brilliant to see @Savinglifeonpa1 there too! Goodbye kaavan! pic.twitter.com/wNJPK5DydU— ? Friends of Islamabad Zoo (FIZ) ? ? ? ? ? (@IsbZooFriends) November 23, 2020
To celebrate Kavaan’s imminent retirement a farewell party was held at the zoo, which was attended by supporters of the elephant, zoo officials, the general public and the Federal Minister for climate change Malik Amin Aslam.
Kaavan has a known fondness for music, as Dr. Amir Khalil veterinarian and head of the Four Paws mission in Pakistan bonded with him by singing Frank Sinatra songs to him. Musicians performed in front of Kaavan’s enclosure, serenading him as he snacked on grass. Many local citizens came to see Kavaan one last time before he leaves for Cambodia, with some children painting pictures of the elephant as a parting gift.
Kavaan is scheduled to depart for Cambodia on the 29th of November. And, superstar Cher who has been instrumental in the fight for his relocation is due to arrive in Islamabad on the 27th of November to see off Kaavan into his new life.
