Kaavan, the lone elephant of Islamabad Zoo, gets a farewell party
Kaavan, the lone elephant of Islamabad Zoo, gets a farewell party!
36-year-old Kaavan is being relocated to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia for retirement.
Kaavan is set to fly to Cambodia on November 29 on a Russian cargo plane, specially chartered for his transportation.
A farewell party was organized for Kavaan at the Islamabad zoo with a full protocol on November 23, with many officials including the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi in attendance.
The party also featured performances by Haroon, Natasha Baig, Khumaariyan, and Arieb Azhar.
Special Assistant to PM Malik Amin Aslam (@aminattock) says Good bye to Kavaan, the #elephant of the #Islamabad Zoo during the #Kavaan's farewell ceremony held on Nov 23, 2020 in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/8uzolaVkOV
— Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan (@ClimateChangePK) November 24, 2020
The attendees of the event took to social media to share their views on Kaavan’s departure to Cambodia.
On his Twitter handle, President Dr. Arif Alvi shared: “Retirement of Kaavan to Cambodia is a result of consideration of the feelings of animals. Mohd bin Musa Al-Damiri wrote a book (Hayat al Haywan) in the 14th century.
Retirement of Kaavan to Cambodia is a result of consideration of the feelings of animals. Mohd bin Musa Al-Damiri wrote a book حیات الحیوان in 14th century. In intro he says that he wants to change wrong human beliefs about animals. That they have intelligence and strong feelings https://t.co/jHtRxg8MBf
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) November 24, 2020
Senator Faisal Javed shared, “Sorry & Farewell to Kaavan! As our dearest (from childhood) is off to Cambodia. Prev Govts didn’t pay any attention in making sanctuaries or national parks & we are sorry for the way we treated Kavaan”, in a series of tweets.
..preserve the ecological habitats & wildlife while focusing on eco tourism & nature conservation.
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) November 23, 2020
Kavaan-we all remember from our childhood ll surely b missing Saheli who remained his partner here frm 1990to2002(untill her death)
Kavaan ll join his new friends in Cambodia. @cher pic.twitter.com/u2bwwuRVe8
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said, “Farewell and good luck. A sad but correct decision to let #Kaavan – the elephant #Islamabad has loved for over 35 years – retire to a world-class elephant sanctuary in #Cambodia”.
Farewell and good luck. A sad but correct decision to let #Kaavan – the elephant #Islamabad has loved for over 35 years – retire to a world class elephant sanctuary in #Cambodia pic.twitter.com/Dl8NPjRQVF
— Malik Amin Aslam (@aminattock) November 23, 2020
The lone elephant’s retirement was made possible after spending 35-years in a zoo at the federal capital as the Islamabad High Court in May this year ruled that the Margazhar Zoo is not fit for animals.
The funds for the relocation of the elephant from Pakistan to Cambodia have been raised by Four Paws International, the global animal welfare organisation in collaboration with another animals’ rights group, Free the Wild.
