Cher flies to Pakistan to help save world’s loneliest elephant and we truly are not worthy
Cher shared her delight in the news that a lonely elephant in Pakistan is being freed. (Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage/AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
Cher has flown to Pakistan to meet Kavaan, dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant”, before he moves to an animal sanctuary in Cambodia.
The “Believe” singer has been a vocal advocate for Kavaan since 2016, with international activists rallying around the elephant in an effort to save him from a life of solitude and mistreatment at Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad.
Footage of Kavaan chained in his tiny habitat – measuring just 90 by 140 metres – and without a mate drew mass condemnation from animal rights activists across the world, and even prompted Cher to get involved in the campaign to free the lonely elephant.
The singer expressed her joy on Twitter when a Pakistani court ordered that the elephant be released in May – and now, she has travelled to the country to meet the lonely elephant before he travels to his forever home in a Cambodian sanctuary.
Cher is currently in Pakistan, where she has met with Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan. She is expected to meet Kavaan later in her trip.
The singer shared details of the meeting on Twitter on Friday (27 November), thanking the prime minster for “making it possible” for her to take Kavaan to Cambodia on 29 November.
Just Came From Meeting To Thank Prime Minister Imran Kahn For Making It Possible For
Me To Take Kaavan To Cambodia. Kaavan Will Be Able To Leave For Cambodia On The 29. Think Documentary Will Be Heartwarming🙏🏻.
— Cher (@cher) November 27, 2020
Cher has been fighting for world’s loneliest elephant since 2016.
Kavaan’s plight caught the attention of Cher and animal rights activists in 2016.
The 36-year-old elephant tragically lost his partner in 2012. His mental health has been on a downward spiral ever since, with experts noting that he has taken to shaking his head back and forth for hours at a time – actions they believe may be due to extreme boredom.
Animal rights group Four Paws has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to rescue Kavaan from a life of neglect and solitude.
Veterinarian Dr Amil Khalil said that they have been readying the elephant for his journey for some time, and he has successfully lost 450 kilograms in weight, according to Associated Press.
This is one of the greatest moments of my life.
He said that there are many elephants in the Cambodian sanctuary where he will live out the rest of his life, meaning he will no longer be alone.
“Celebrities lending their voices to good causes are always welcomed, as they help starting public discourse and raising pressure on responsible authorities,” he said of Cher’s involvement in the campaign.
“Around the globe there are animal lovers, famous and not famous, and the support of every single one of them is crucial.”
When the Islamabad high court ordered that Kavaan be released in May, Cher tweeted: “This is one of the greatest moments of my life.”
In a series of tweets, she thanked the advocates and organisations who “never gave up” in the fight to have the elephant released.
Kavaan’s release came after more than 200,000 people signed a petition decrying his treatment at the hands of zookeepers.
