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Kaavan Arrives In Cambodia: Pakistani Twitter Users Have Mixed Emotions

Manaal Khurram

Following a week of warm messages and a heartfelt farewell to Kaavan, the 36-year-old elephant departed from Pakistan yesterday. He was sent through a Russian transport jumbo jet for the long flight to Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia. The plane was expected to stop for refuelling in New Delhi. A 10-member medical team accompanied Kaavan on the journey. According to latest reports, Kaavan has successfully landed in the foreign land. “Kaavan was eating on the flight, was not stressed and he even slept a little. He behaves like a Frequent Flyer,” said Amir Khalil, a vet with animal rescue organisation Four Paws, which spearheaded the relocation effort. Dozens of wildlife workers loaded the slightly sedated elephant onto a custom-made metal crate before he was finally lifted into the cargo plane.

 

 

 

“The flight was uneventful, which is all you can ask for when you transfer an elephant,” Khalil added. Several users took to Twitter and expressed their emotions regarding the new chapter in Kaavan’s life. For the unversed, he will retire in a well-reputed sanctuary in Cambodia, which houses 80 other elephants. A user Faryal Haque Nawaz posted, “You’ve been very brave through it all and the hard part is over. Your new beginnings await you, my sweet boy. Only love life companionship and bliss for you. Have a safe flight and see you soon.” Dubbed the world’s loneliest elephant, a user on the micro-blogging platform posted, “No more chains Kaavan, no more loneliness and no more pain. Thanks to all those people and organisations who helped make this possible. I’m really happy to see him moving to a better place (Cambodia). We’re sorry Kaavan, thank you for all the 35 years here.” Some hoped for his safe and comfortable flight. “How’s Kaavan doing. Can’t wait to see his face. Was kind of worried about how he might have been during his journey in the plane. Wishing him all the best in his new life.” A user replied with, “He has reached safely. Many prayers answered!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Kaavan has been boarded! cannot even imagine how everyone standing there must feel. They have spent half a decade fighting for his freedom! Things like these don’t happen in Pakistan. This is no less than a miracle. It’s a victory all of us would relish in for decades to come,” read a post. Another added, “I’m so happy for Kaavan. Elephants are regal and pure and deserve all the happiness in the world.” Others weighed in on his poor conditions while being kept at Islamabad zoo. “As I awake, I believe #Kavaan will be landing in #Cambodia – run free you magical creature & live the life you always should have been allowed to live. #Pakistan,” noted a user.

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A similar post read, “After years and years and years of activism on his behalf, Kaavan, the world’s loneliest elephant, is finally going free! This is such beautiful news amidst such sadness. If you know about Kaavan and followed his journey, you might be crying now too.” Singer Cher – who was one of the international faces to fight against Kaavan’s mistreatment – paid a singing tribute to him during her visit to Pakistan last week. Commenting on this, a user penned, “Safe travels Kaavan You have spent 35 years for this very moment, for justice, for freedom, for someone out there to care. I was in tears seeing Cher singing to you. From having no one care for you to being serenaded by an international star.” A user posted, “I am also so thankful to the Government of Pakistan, who helped make Kaavan’s journey to his sanctuary smooth. To Dr. Arif Alvi for visiting this boy, and to every minister who believed in his freedom and fought for it.” We wish Kaavan a happy and safe life in Cambodia with his new caretakers and friends!

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