"A friendly shelter for the lone elephant - Kavan in the world"

 

'A friendly shelter for the lone elephant - Kavan in the world'

Pakistan's High Court has ordered the removal of Kavan, the world's lone elephant, from his current Magsaysay zoo in Cambodia. Kavan is an elephant donated by Sri Lanka to Pakistan. In 1985, J.W. R. Kavan, who visited the zoo as a gift to Pakistan during the Jayewardene government, is now 35 years old.

Saheli's support

An elephant named Saheli was sent to Pakistan in 1990 from Sri Lanka to accompany Kavan at the zoo. The elephant couple lived in a small area of ​​the zoo. Saheli, who was in pain in her leg, fell to the ground and remained still, and all that time she was standing next to him, caressing her with the cauliflower. Saheli died in 2012 due to negligence on the part of zoo officials. Kavan has been alone ever since. Kavan is said to have been the most violent since then.

Isolation in a tin shed

Kavan was in a 90- to 140-meter-wide tin shed with no leaves and was suffering from intense heat. The elephant's legs were handcuffed and chained. He was not allowed to walk like an ordinary elephant that walks thousands of miles a day. As a result, his nails were overgrown and broken, and his foot was said to have been injured. Photographs of him leaning against the wall in front of him most of the day were also posted online. Kavan suffered not only physically but also mentally as a result of the abusive treatment he received at the zoo. For hours, Cavan's head was tilting back and forth, as if frustrated by the monotonous surroundings.

Requests of Animal Activists

Animal activists have been urging the country to relocate Kavanagh since 2016. Two lions at the zoo had to die as their arrival was slightly delayed. In order to take the lions to another place, the people who were there had set fire to a nearby cage to send them to their proper cages. American singer Cheryl Sakshien (Cher) has launched a protest in support of Cavan's release. More than 200,000 people signed the petition online. Accordingly, the High Court ordered that Kavan be sent to a suitable residence in another country.

Kavan who listens to the songs of his friend Ameer

Amir, one of the doctors treating the elephant, sings songs to heal Kavan's mind. Officials have identified that those who listen to them will return to normalcy, away from violent behavior. Mr. Ameer is a veterinarian who has worked to rescue animals in war zones and currently works for an animal rights organization in Islamabad. Amir will take care of Kavan until he recovers enough to be taken to Cambodia. The veterinarian sings the song "My Way" by American singer Frank Sinatra.

It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. It will happen once the elephant is healed. Veterinarians are working to improve the elephant's health and mental condition, and they are administering painkillers to put Kavan to sleep.

Commenting on the release of Kavan Alia from the zoo, Pakistani Minister of State Malik Amin Aslam said: ‘Release this elephant with a tower mind. He will live happily ever after. '

                                                                                                                             Gayani Samararathne