Photos: Cher in Pakistan to help world’s loneliest elephant’

Iconic singer and actress Cher is in Pakistan to celebrate the departure of Kaavan, dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant,” who will soon leave a Pakistani zoo for better conditions after years of lobbying by animal rights groups and activists. Because of security concerns, Cher’s schedule was not made public. However, she was meeting Friday with Prime Minister Imran Khan and was expected to visit Kaavan later in the trip, according to a person with knowledge of her whereabouts who was assisting the rescue effort. The elephant has languished in the zoo for 35 years, and lost his partner in 2012. He was diagnosed by veterinarians as both overweight and malnourished, and also suffers behavioural issues due to his isolation. Kaavan is set to leave for a sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday, said Martin Bauer of Four Paws International, a global animal welfare group that’s led the charge to save him since 2016. Cher took up Kaavan’s cause and has been a loud voice advocating for his resettlement. Four Paws, which often carries out animal rescue missions, has provided the medical treatment needed before Kaavan can travel and will accompany him to the sanctuary.

Updated on: Nov 27, 2020 8:56 PM IST

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Islamabad: Volunteers paint an image of an elephant named "Kaavan"on a crate to be used to be transported Kaavan to a sanctuary in Cambodia, at the Maragzar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. Iconic singer and actress Cher was set to visit Pakistan on Friday to celebrate the departure of Kaavan, dubbed the”loneliest elephant” who will soon leave a Pakistani zoo for better conditions after years of lobbying by animal rights groups and activists. (AP)

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Volunteers paint an image of an elephant named "Kaavan" on a crate to be used to be transported Kaavan to a sanctuary in Cambodia, at the Maragzar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP)

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An elephant named "Kaavan," who waiting to be transported to a sanctuary in Cambodia, walks at the Maragzar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP)

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Dr. Amir Khalil, a veterinary from the international animal welfare organization "Four Paws" talks to The Associated Press near an elephant named "Kaavan" waiting to be transported to a sanctuary in Cambodia, at the Maragzar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP)

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A photographer takes a picture of an elephant named "Kaavan" waiting to be transported to a sanctuary in Cambodia, at the Maragzar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP)

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FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2020, file photo, Cher speaks near a polling station as she campaigns for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, in Phoenix. (AP)