Cher Finally Meets 'World's Loneliest Elephant' After Helping Free Him From Zoo

Cher has finally met the 'world's loneliest elephant' just before it left a Pakistan zoo and was transferred to a Cambodian sanctuary on Sunday.

The elephant, called Kaavan, has lived in the zoo, which is situated in Islamabad, for 35 years and has been alone since losing his partner back in 2012.

PA

Shortly after meeting the pop legend, Kaavan was guided into a crate before being transported to a sanctuary in Cambodia with 25,000 acres of wildlife.

Kaavan caught the attention of Cher after his dilapidated facilities sparked outrage from animal rights groups.

A social media campaign was set up and when a judge ordered all the animals in the zoo to be moved Cher said: "My wishes have finally come true."

She later added: "We have been counting down to this moment and dreaming of it for so long and to finally see Kaavan transported out of (the Islamabad) zoo will remain with us forever."

Ordering the release of the caged animals in May, Chief Justice Athar Minallah said: "Neither are there adequate facilities nor resources to provide living conditions that would meet the behavioural, social and physiological needs of the animals."

On 17 July, the Pakistan government then gave consent for animal welfare organisation Free the Wild to relocate Kaavan to a sanctuary in Cambodia.

Ammar Pervaiz - a member of Friends of Islamabad Zoo, a group concerned about animal welfare at the Pakistan zoo - tweeted: "Finally, Kaavan is going to Cambodia! I can't express how happy I am for Kaavan.

"Thank you to all the beautiful souls across the globe who raised their voice and showed their support especially IWMB and advocate Owais Awa."

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Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne, co-founder of Free the Wild - which has been actively involved in Kaavan's case for some time - said: "[We] are delighted by the news from Pakistan regarding the relocation and retirement of Kaavan, Pakistan's last remaining Asian elephant... after 5 years of relentless effort by Free the Wild and Team Kaavan."

Three cheers for Kaavan the LAD.

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Animals

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

@RJShepherd94