Pakistan’s only Asian elephant has spent years in dire conditions at the controversial Islamabad zoo, where it has suffered torn and deformed nails along with lack of exercise due to improper living.
After Kavan’s partner died in 2012, she was dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant” – and since 2016, Cher has been part of a massive social media campaign to move her.
Kawan at Marjhar Zoo in Islamabad on June 30, 2016.
Aamir Qureshi / AFP / Getty Images
Prior to the flight, four-claw experts trained the elephant for a small enclosure and made a loud noise he experienced on the flight using bananas and other treatments.
Cher came to know about Kavan from people on Twitter, who are producing a documentary on the elephant’s story, according to a statement from the Smithsonian Channel.
“I thought, ‘How can I fix this? How can I save an elephant that has been kept in a shed for 17 years and which is a thousand miles away?”, Cher said. “This is the first big defense of Free the Wild and I’m very proud.”
Ahead of his journey, Cher traveled to Pakistan and debuted Kavan with the song “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Mikes”.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said that former cricket star Khan thanked Cher, and invited him to participate further in the environmental initiative in Pakistan.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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