UPDATE

Kavaan, the lonely elephant, to be shifted to Cambodia in November
October 14, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Kavaan - the lonely elephant currently being kept in defunct Islamabad Zoo - is likely to be shifted to a sanctuary in Cambodia in November after its expected recovery from nail infection and psychological problems.

A special container will reach Pakistan in the next few days that will be used to bring Kaavan to Cambodia. But before its departure, Kaavan will be given eight-week training in which it will be taught to adjust and keep itself healthy in the container.

Elephant specialist Frank Goeritz has analysed blood samples of Kaavan and found nothing wrong with its overall health condition. All its body parts are in good condition including trunk, tusk, eyes, head, ear, mouth, lips, tail, legs, feet and skin.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/729120 ... n-november

Cambodia holds a special place in its heart and welcomes those with deep psychological "issues". Khmers can relate.
In fact, some say it a necessary requirement for all those who wish to live here.

So true, Crobov ^^
so sad

we'll see that

It's all happening...

Relief for Kaavan in sight as Cambodia issues relocation permit
Kavaan to be moved to a sanctuary in Cambodia within a month
Our Correspondent October 23, 2020
The Cambodian government on Friday issued a relocation permit for the transfer of elephant Kavaan from the Islamabad zoo to a local sanctuary.

The move comes after the Islamabad High Court had ordered for the elephant to be moved to a ‘suitable sanctuary’.

Issued permit by Camobidan government is valid till April 9, 2021, under the name of international expert Dr Amir Khalil.

Kavaan is expected to leave the Islamabad Zoo and be flown to Cambodia in the next month.

Arriving in Pakistan as a one-year-old in 1985 from Sri Lanka, Kaavan was temporarily held in chains in 2002 because zookeepers were concerned about increasingly violent tendencies.

He was freed later that year after an outcry but it emerged in 2015 that he was once more being regularly chained for several hours each day.

Zoo officials have in the past denied that the Kaavan was chained up, instead claiming he was pining for a new mate after his partner died in 2012.

The relocation permit has been submitted in the IHC.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2269610/re ... ion-permit

Latest news of the adventures of Kaavan the Elephant:

November 13, 2020
Kaavan the elephant to relocate to Cambodia

Kaavan the elephant is finally set to travel to Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), a sanctuary in the north of Siem Reap province, on November 28, after five years of struggles and legal fights to rescue him from Marghazar Zoo in Pakistan by various animal rescue welfare organisations and his supporters.

Ministry of Environment spokesman Neth Pheaktra said: “Cambodia thanks the Pakistan government for this cooperation on the conservation of the Asian elephant, a rare species. Kaavan, a 35-year-old male elephant, is due to be transported from Pakistan to the forest in the protected area in Cambodia with coordination from CWS.”

“The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) authority of Cambodia of the Ministry of Agriculture has already given authorisation to transport Kaavan to Cambodia. We expect Kaavan will be in Cambodia at the appropriate time,” Pheaktra said.

Kaavan will be transferred to the forest in Kulen Prum Tep wildlife sanctuary in Oddar Meanchey province which is under the care of CWS and the Ministry of Environment.

“We will take care of Kaavan and after he familiarises with his surroundings, we will release him in the forest in Cambodia’s Wildlife sanctuary. Cambodia actually has between 400 to 600 Asian elephants living in protected areas in the Cardamom mountains and in northern Cambodia [Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri],” said Pheaktra.

Kaavan’s relocation is being coordinated by animal welfare NGO FOUR PAWS.

“This is the heaviest mission – literally and figuratively – that FOUR PAWS has ever done. This is a huge logistics challenge,” said FOUR PAWS International’s director of project development Dr Amir Khalil, who is in charge of the relocation.

“This is one of the most difficult missions to relocate Kaavan as he is a big bull. Also, the current enclosure at the zoo is not easy to approach by big trucks. The transfer to the airport and keeping the elephant quiet in the plane will also be a big challenge,” he said.

“The Islamabad High Court ordered the relocation from Marghazar Zoo to CWS, as this place is following high international standards. They are used to taking care of rescued elephants and will follow proper management to take care of Kaavan. After a proper rehabilitation process, Kaavan will be able to adapt with the other Asian elephants there,” Dr Khalil said.

Kaavan has shown positive results in his behaviour and has been calmer recently. Although he is still showing strong stereotypical behaviour and his nail cracks need urgent treatment, Kaavan is increasingly active as his diet becomes healthier and more diversified, he said.

“He is also showing fewer signs of aggressiveness. Music therapy coupled with other calming methods appear to be working well,” Dr Khalil added.

“We are confident that with time, patience and love, Kaavan will be able to adapt to his new environment and the other elephants. He will later be rehabilitated with three females,” Dr Khalil added.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50782548/k ... -cambodia/

Cambodia News, Phnom Penh: In the coming days, Cambodia will receive an Asian elephant as a gift from the Government of Pakistan for breeding and release in a wildlife sanctuary in Oddar Meanchey province. This is according to Mr. Net Pheaktra, Spokesman and Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment.

According to Mr. Net Pheaktra, on November 21, this Asian elephant named 35-year-old Kaavan will be transported from Pakistan to a protected forest conservation area in Cambodia with the coordination of CWS at the end of November 2020.The arrival of this male will help to preserve the Asian elephant, a rare species in Cambodia.

Mr. Neth Pheaktra said that they are now preparing the procedure to transport this elephant to Cambodia by air before the end of November.

"The arrival of this male will help to preserve the Asian elephant"

Zoos of the world -
repeat the lie often enough and maybe one day it will all come true

The prospect of breeding and adding to the gene pool is maybe good advertising but maybe wishful thinking. A 35 year old male elephant (in the last 1/3 of his projected lifespan) having lived that life in isolation from his species with significant psychological issues. Because of the strong social structure of elephants and high intelligence they are different in that most of their behavior and survival depends on learned rather than instinctive behavior. Just wishing he survives the trip and hopefully some young Khmer lady will take a liking to him (ST or LT). Then he can figure out the rest.