For more than 35 years all Kaavan the elephant had known were chains and 'mental torment'.

Eight years ago the bull elephant, who has spent his life at the Maraghazar Zoo in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, was left totally alone when his companion, Saheli, died.

The two elephants had shared an enclosure since 1990, but in 2012 Kaavan was left all alone.

After it emerged Kaavan was reportedly tied up at all times, hundreds of thousands of people signed a petition for him to be given a new home, where he would be better cared for.

Four years ago, zoo bosses insisted Kaavan was no longer chained but his long-awaited new mate never arrived and the elephant was forced to spend all his time alone.

They claimed he had only been chained when he suffered violent outbursts but there were also disturbing reports that Kaavan had been beaten to try to control his temper.

To make matters worse, Kaavan was confined to a pen just 90m by 140m with little shelter, which meant he had no respite from the baking sun.

Temperatures can reach a stifling 40C in Islamabad and there was no shade for the lonely elephant.

Spending so long alone and with nothing to occupy him is believed to have had a devastating impact on Kaavan - and in the years after his mate died he showed increasing signs of mental distress and depression.

Safwan Shahab Ahmad, the vice chairman of Pakistan Wildlife Foundation who has studied the elephant since the 1990s, said behaviour like head bobbing demonstrated “a kind of mental illness”.

The elephant was regularly said to be seen swaying and bobbing his head in his enclosure.

Safwan added: "Give Kaavan deep bushes and artificial showering and you will see him enjoying the environment."

Other experts feared that if Kaavan's living situation did not change it would dramatically "shorten his life span".

Zookeeper Jalal-ud-din Ahmad added: “Bring a female elephant and you will see very positive changes in Kaavan.”

But for eight, long years, Kaavan only had his keepers for company and not one of his own kind.

Heartbreakingly, even his keeper, Mohammad Jalal, said: "I have hardly seen him happy."

Last year, both local and international animal rights groups launched a bid to have the elephant re-homed in a suitable sanctuary after his years of suffering.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/12159645_1_jpeg83b5009e040969ee7b60362ad7426573

Finally, in May this year the Islamabad High Court ordered wildlife officials to launch a consultation with Sri Lanka, where the elephant came from, to find him a "suitable sanctuary".

Now, Kaavan has finally been allowed a chance at a new life after he was moved to the Lek's sanctuary in Cambodia, where conditions are expected to be more suited to him and where he will have other elephants for company.

Government minister Malik Amin Aslam said authorities would "free this elephant with a kind heart, and will ensure that he lives a happy life."

She added: "This is a sad step to take, but the correct one for Kaavan."

The elephant is not the only animal to find a new home following the court ruling.

Maraghazar Zoo is said to be improving its standards and the conditions the animals live in but this mean lions, birds and brown bears all needed new homes while the work was carried out.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/tormented-life-worlds-loneliest-elephant-22534827

Freedom is good

Humans are the most dangerous Animal

If this elephant can regain freedom after 35years, tell me why you don't have hope that things will be alright oneday

Freedom at last......

That's nice

Nothing like being free

Just matter of 3 years and Nigeria will be liberated from the chains of Buhari and APC

Freedom is good.... Grant us freedom in Nigeria oh Lord

Congrats

Ok

Nothing like being free.

Omo men

good morning o

To make matters worse, Kaavan was confined to a pen just 90m by 140m with little shelter, which meant he had no respite from the baking sun.

Temperatures can reach a stifling 40C in Islamabad and there was no shade for the lonely elephant.

This is just so inhumane.
But we are now Happy for her.
Loneliness issa bad thing.
It kills more than HIV!

Talking about Loneliness,
Legend has it that......

"Lonely people are always up in the middle of the night"

We don't know how far that is true!

.

Leave elephant alone, Nigeria self needs freedom.

Free your self from brokness

If you b*t find me

World loneliest country is Still in chains of buhari mis rule

Freedom is life❤

.

The assumption that animals are without rights and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality.
“He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men"

Oyinbo people and Karamo.
Whats the meaning of this again

Na wa o!

Some people are so despicable. 35 years in chains?

Make free Nigeria like this ..make we still laugh na

these animal worshippers again.

at least they respect something and stand for something.

Nigeria does not stand up for anything, nothing

The trauma it endured. Poor animal.

hnn