CAMBODIA-The "world's loneliest elephant" has been resettled at a nature reserve (保护区) in the Oddar Meanchey Province after receiving some help from singer Cher recently.
Kaavan, a 36-year-old, 9,000-pound elephant, was given the nickname after he suffered from emotional and physical problems while living in a zoo in Pakistan for 35 years. During that time, Kaavan was mostly tied in his enclosure (圈用地)， and when his partner died in 2012, her body lay next to him for several days before it was removed. Doctors said Kaavan was overweight, malnourished (营养不良的) and suffering from behavioral problems due to loneliness.
Cher, who has been advocating Kaavan's resettlement, met with Pakistani Prime Minister on Friday and later visited Kaavan in the zoo. Kaavan was tested for COVID-19 before his seven-hour journey, during which 440 pounds of food were prepared. A doctor took care of him on the flight and worked with Four Paws, the animal rescue group that organized the move. He said Kaavan did not seem stressed and even slept during the flight. Very few elephants have been relocated by plane, according to Four Paws.
On Monday, Kaavan arrived in Cambodia and made his way north by truck to his new home. Once he feels settled, he will be set free from his enclosure and allowed to wander around the reserve, which houses about 600 Asian elephants. Experts say Kaavan will get a long term of psychological and physical treatment. Years of living in an enclosure with poor flooring has caused his nail to crack and overgrow and he has developed a habit of shaking his head back and forth for hours, which is believed to be out of boredom.
The elephant has lost half a ton since his diet was changed to fruit and vegetables. The zoo where he spent much of his life has been ordered to shut down.
