Islamabad: Kaavan is one step closer to freedom as the lonely elephant has been declared fit to travel to a Cambodia sanctuary. Experts from the Austria-based animal welfare organization Four Paws International confirmed today that Kaavan’s medical examination shows that he is “well enough to be relocated”.
Talking to Gulf News, Dr. Amir Khalil, Four Paws veterinarian and team leader, said the next step would be Kaavan’s training to move into the transport crate. “For at least 4-5 weeks, he would be trained to move into the crate, relax, drink and eat inside to feel as comfortable as possible.” Once the animal gets familiar with it, the crate is closed, secured and transferred.
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After the medical exam, the experts concluded that Kaavan, who has been kept in Islamabad Zoo for 35 years, was “obese” due to “malnutrition and lack of physical exercise” and that he has cracked and malformed nails. “A lack of physical and behavioural enrichments as well as the absence of a partner… resulted in Kaavan becoming incredibly bored,” said Dr. Frank Göritz, head vet. But “overall, the results from his blood tests are good and his general health condition allows him to be relocated.”
The Four Paws team is in Islamabad to prepare over 30 animals – two Himalayan brown bears, three wolves, twelve monkeys, one deer and over fourteen rabbits – for their departure. The team is also supporting the relocation of two bears and offered to relocate them to its sanctuary in Jordan, run in partnership with Princess Alia Foundation. One of the bears, 17-year-old Suzie, is in critical condition after a tumour was surgically removed, the team said.
The African elephant and all the other animals are being retired from the Islamabad Zoo following the court decision to shut the zoo over its poor conditions. Four Paws was invited by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), responsible for the safe relocation of animals, after two lions died in transfer tragedy in a “shocking” manner in which animal handlers set a fire in their enclosure to force them out.
Experts say relocating an elephant is a gigantic task that requires a lot of planning and logistics and rehabilitating into his new home another challenge. But it is the only viable option to save Kaavan as there are no such sanctuaries in Pakistan, says Rab Nawaz, senior director at WWF-Pakistan. He hoped the Islamabad Zoo that captured global attention would help improve animal welfare in zoos across Pakistan.
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