An Asian elephant named Kaavan, who has earned the moniker “Pakistan’s loneliest elephant,” is set to be free for the first time since 1985 thanks to a landmark court decision that will release him from the Murgahazar Zoo in Islamabad after over decades in captivity.
Heartbreaking images of Kaavan living such a solitary life sparked a four-year campaign headed by the famous singer Cher, who fought tirelessly to release the helpless elephant from confinement.
The Islamabad high court finally decided last Thursday that Kaavan deserves his long-awaited freedom. Wildlife officials have 30 days to find a suitable sanctuary for him.
Moved to tear by the decision, Cher thanked the Pakistani government for its decision.
“This is one of the greatest moments of my life,” the international icon tweeted. “Kaavan is free.”
Originally from Sri Lanka, Kaavan arrived in Pakistan at just one year old as a gift to General Zia-ul-Haq, the country’s former dictator. He spent decades in a small enclosure with very little grass and a dirty pond, often chained up because of alleged violent tendencies, which were likely due to mental health issues. Kaavan’s mental health deteriorated further in 2012 when his cage mate, Saheli, passed away, leaving him in complete isolation.
Kaavan’s upcoming release from captivity marks a major milestone in the fight for animal rights, and this victory reminds us that he is one of countless elephants who deserve to be free from solitary confinement.
Where the fuck is Hitler? Perhaps he’s here disguised as COVID 19-2020 as the 2nd Coming of the Reich Kind.
Deal with these Paki Bashers before Allah Goot does.
Dog Bless. [email protected]
Ps: Free this poor mammal so he can do the elephant walk with his tribal herd.
I am glad to see that this wonderful elephant will be freed and be able to have a peaceful rest of it’s life. A good animal story for a change.
yes but when!!!!!!!! fasttttt
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU — somehow rationality, sanity and compassion were FOUND — thank you.
What a special moment, all animals deserve to live in happiness and peace.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED SAVE KAAVAN …….poor baby she finally got to live her life as she should free……………
BEST WISHES FOR A WONDERFUL LIFE KAAVAN YOU SURE DESERVE IT!! ENJOY!
Oh praise be to the dark lord,for that poor elephant!
Such beautiful news…elephants are majestic creatures who deserve so much better than what humans have given them.
Since when did Americans start being so mean to innocent animals. Somebody needs to take you animal abusers out and beat the shit out of you. Animals only want to love and give love in return.
Absolutely delighted that this lonely elephant is being rescued and will find freedom in natural surroundings at last. Cher has done a wonderful job by alerting the public to Kaavan’s plight and keeping up the fight to obtain justice for him. All animal lovers throughout the globe applaud her and our gratitude knows no bounds.
Thank you for this good news! Please keep us updated on where Kaavan ends up. I almost cried too, when I read he’s going to be freed! Thank goodness Cher did not give up on that poor elephant. 4 years is a long time to fight a government.
Not before time, Kaavan has lived in misery and cruelty and abuse for long enough. 🐘🙏🐘🙏🐘🙏🐘🙏
I am 1 of many who have campaigned for Kaavan to be freed from hell. I am over the moon that he will be freed soon I can’t wait to see him in his new sanctuary.
I am 1 of many who have campaigned for Kaavan to be freed from hell. I am over the moon that he will be freed soon I can’t wait to see him in his new sanctuary.
I fear as to how this majestic animal is going to adjust with his freedom in addition if he or she knows how to mingle and socialize with other elephants that is if the herd so to speak will accept him or her.
I just hope it goes well for him/her. If only I had a large plot of land I would turn it into a sanctuary for this wonderful creature and other captive animals with dedicated love and ongoing attention.
It’s the next best thing to losing one’s partner and of many domestic pets I’ve lost to due to old age and cancer.
Dog Bless. [email protected]
There is another VERY lonely elephant at Edmonton Zoo in Canada. They refuse to send this poor elephant to a sanctuary.
Hi Jill i wonder if theres a petition , i will check this out .
This is one thing that Cher that she has done that I’m thankful for!
Bless it. May it live a long happy and healthy life.
Wow, 35 years of entrapment and 8 years of solitary confinement. May you live a long and happy life from now on….
What took so long !!!! Ah we all know too well.
GREED!!!!
I’ve always cared for animals in this situation. One thing for sure it was all about money-greed in the name of ALLAH GOOT these deluded religious freaks created in their own images, ideals and desires. .
Hence why I never make donations to people in general when disaster or diseases strikes upon them with the exception of a few people with a Nuclear who continues to generate warmth, love, care, dedication and much more for and towards to animals..
So sad society with its advancement in science and technology are still primitive blood thirsty sadistic savages, I look forward to a Nuclear war only problem animals will be worse off.
Take care and Dog Bless. [email protected] of the Catlick Society.
Your comment is hard to understand but it seems as if you are hoping for a nuclear war but I may be wrong. Can we not just applaud Cher and her supporters for helping to rescue this elephant and hope this will be one of many who will also be freed to enjoy their precious lives in natural surroundings?
Of course I agree with you. I am referring to getting rid of these sadistic selfish psychopaths who are self “Reichous” in allowing animals to be deprived of their own natural surroundings.
I wish there are more good people like you with a ‘Nuclear Heart’ that generates ongoing warmth, love, care, dedication and much more towards all animals and children who are vulnerable with suckling innocents constantly being abused, tortured and.murdered.
Take care and Dog Bless.. [email protected]
Ps: I shall be happy to send a few pages of: “WILLOW My Story, My Life, My Journey” to anyone via a nominated email address.
Willow my Belgian Sheppard passed away last November 17th 2019 aged 16.9 years. She was the most beautiful gal in the whole verld with natural beauty (no 2cm make up, no 3cm false eyelashes, no tattoos or pins and needles-body piercing)who .
A true Member of the Loyal Family and Brilliantaire who always got what she wanted. A true Silent Christian with suckling innocents who loved children with her protective paternal protective instincts towards them.
Yes I really miss this grand old lady. Now a good part of me is with her. She was my best friend as per the song by Don Williams: “Your My Friend” and how true.
Perhaps someday I’ll produce a movie of her as an inspiration for the next generation to love, honour and respect all animals. I’ve already orchestrated the film soundtrack for WILLOW the movie.
Unless I am suffering from Dogmentia I from time to time will hear her-Willow walking over the wooden floor boards next to the bedroom door. It’s certainly not my 8 Fe9nines as they are all outside in the back yard busy “sweeping and dweaming of another Ticket Dream” hmmm Mecess, Burdies, Wizard Lizards-Mummy” you name it.
Take care and stay safe. Jan Pack Leader of the WEIRD WOLVES:
“Oh no not another Full Moon with Dragcular a Queen of the dammed adorned in a Fur Coat just around the corner. Yikes! I’m outta here”.
[email protected] Australia: 61+466 370 484
Thank God that this majestic creation by God is finally going to a place that he can live out his remaining years outside of a horrific cage. Thank you Cher for your due diligence in his rescue.
Keep putting pressure on the government, All of the elephants who were most likely stolen from their mothers ( who are probably killed), their and elephant families, only to be subjected to years of suffering and isolation, and or beaten into submission to be used as tourist attractions
Raise the collective consciousness to their sad, suffering lonely existence, AND KEEP PUSHING FORWARD until NO elephant is left behind!
It’s nice to have such wonderful news
Elephants are such amazing, social, intelligent animals, and it always appauls me when they are kept in solidarity!! I watch all these animal programs about zoos, and how these keepers, and CEO’S of these zoos act like they just LOVE these animals, and they are breeding them to save them!! But you NEVER hear them talk about rereleasing them into their wild habitat!! Zoos selfishly keep elephants for the attraction, and the money they bring!! Conservationists, and leading animal welfare groups have long said elephants need A LOT of space, and freedom to roam, things zoos CANNOT provide!! Only a handful of zoos have given up their elephant collections to large sanctuaries where the elephants can finally roam freely, at least more freely, and I am proud to say my home zoo, the Detroit zoo was amongst the 1st!! They didnt care about proffit, they listened to the science, and let them go!! Elephants in captivity are HIGHLY succeptive to the herpes virus, and are dying in droves in zoos, and rather than let them go, they spend thousands of dollars to medicate them, pump them with drugs all in the name of conservation. If they cared even a little, they would give these animals up to accredited sanctuaries with thousands of acres, and rivers, and grass to roam!! I am glad to see victory for at least one elephant!! Enjoy your freedom sweet baby!! You so deserve it, and so does all of your brethren!! xoxo
My heartfelt thanks to both Cher for drawing attention to the plight of this poor creature and to the Islamabad High Court for releasing him. Hope to see some “happy ever after” pictures in the future. Bless him.
Enfin!!!
I am pleased for this poor gracious giant..
I hope the zoo staff and all all perpetrators who did this to this animal will take this Elephant’s place till their end of days for the public to feed them with stones in accordance to the book of Allah Goot.
Dog Bless. [email protected],com,au
Elephants are very family oriented and loves to be with their family close by. Poor animal has been kept a Prisoner for so long and this type of imprisoning such large wild animals must be completely Banned. Thanks to the wise people who have taken the decision to send this innocent Pachyderm to an accredited sanctuary to live a life as an elephant. THANK YOU.
About time. If only I can do more.. Take care of this rare Majestic Mahraja of the Jungle. I just hope his other species will accept him or her
Dog Bles. jan,[email protected]
I am so glad that Kaavan 🐘 has finally been set free. I hope tgey are able to find a sanctuary for him to live out the remainder of his life.
For years for torturing and killing…dismembering…. And tossing them away. Dispicable. The cats have feelings and they thought they would have a good home. Heaven is better than with any lowlife. He needs to be banned from ever having anymore animals permanently and put on a registry for animal abuser torturer killer available to the public. Nothing less will be acceptable.
This post is about an elephant 🐘 not cats 🐱🐈🐾. I think you commented on the post.
It’s so awesome to hear good news for a change. It’s seems there’s always such nightmarish stories that crossed my screen almost everyday. Thank you so much Cher and all the other that helped rescued that poor soul. Kaavan will now start a new beginning of freedom and happiness because of angels like you.
Poor Kaavan. What a tragic existence. Thank you, Cher for all your hard work and to others who have helped to rescue him. Hope he now has a better life. Shameful zoo. Should be closed down.
a very good thing… thank you
now we have to save all the others in captivity.. especially Ken Feld and his ringing bros circus animals…
Far too long over-do.
OMG THANK GOD
SO HAPPY T HEAR THAT
Living the way Kaavan has these 35 years have been torture.
Now he can go be with other elephants, and know a good life <3
One down – so many more to go </3
Thank you Cher for working to release this poor elephant from a hellhole to a sanctuary. Maybe he’ll know peace for the first time in his life.
Great news. I’d like to see him in his sanctuary with other éléphants.
WHAT A TOUCHING MOMENT. FANTASTIC NEWS!!! YOU MADE MY DAY! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Wonderful news indeed.
This poor boy, he deserves to live out his life in peace and happiness
Long overdue!
Where the fuck is Hitler to stop animal abuse for once and for all. Dog Bless.. [email protected]