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An elephant that has become a cause celebrated for animal rights defenders around the world will be allowed out of the Pakistani zoo that it has called home for 35 years.
Dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant,” Kaavan finally received medical clearance to travel after an exam at the Islamabad Zoo on Friday, according to Martin Bauer, a spokesman for the animal welfare group Four Paws.
They will most likely take the overweight elephant to Cambodia, where it is expected to find company and better conditions.
Kaavan’s house in Islamabad, the Marghazar Zoo, was closed in May after Pakistan’s high court ruled that its conditions were abysmal and the result of negligence.
Kaavan had been living alone in a small compound since he lost his partner in 2012.
He was rescued after a worldwide campaign, which began in 2016 and was endorsed by celebrities such as American singer Cher.
Some other animals at the zoo were also rescued, but not all survived, Bauer said.
After his arrival in Cambodia, Kaavan must recover from the results of his negligence; Despite being overweight, he also showed signs of malnutrition.
His nails were cracked and overgrown and the floor of his enclosure has damaged his feet.
He also has behavior problems, shaking his head back and forth for hours, probably because he’s bored, Bauer said.