Photos: Kaavan, “world’s loneliest elephant,” finds new home in Cambodia

Kaavan, a 36-year-old bull elephant, who was flown from Pakistan, explores his new enclosure at the Kulen Prom Tep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province on December 1. Dubbed the “world’s loneliest,” Kaavan was the sole Asian elephant at Islamabad’s dilapidated zoo. Kaavan’s move is the culmination of years of campaigning from animal rights groups. (Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP)

Kaavan extends his trunk from behind white posts to greet a fellow inhabitant of the Cambodian sanctuary where he is beginning his new life, on December 1. It was his first contact with another elephant in eight years. (Four Paws via AP)

US pop singer Cher (R) and Cambodia's Deputy Minister of Environment Neth Pheaktra await the arrival of a crate containing Kaavan at Siem Reap International Airport on November 30. Efforts by animal rights groups were boosted by spirited social media support from actress and musician Cher. Kaavan arrived in Cambodia to much fanfare -- including a welcome from Cher herself. (Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP)

Buddhist monks perform a ceremony to bless the crate containing Kaavan the Asian elephant upon his arrival in Cambodia from Pakistan at Siem Reap International Airport on November 30. The 4,080 kilogram elephant received a warm welcome on arrival from officials, conservationists and the Buddhist monks, who chanted prayers for his harmony and prosperity. (Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP)

Cambodia's Deputy Minister of Environment Neth Pheaktra touches Kaavan’s trunk as they prepare to release him into his new home in the Kulen Prom Tep Wildlife Sanctuary on November 30. Kaavan, a 1985 gift from Sri Lanka to Pakistan, had been living in the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad with his partner Saheli, who died in 2012. The zoo fell on hard times and conditions got so bad that a court ordered the zoo closed in August. (Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP)

A crate carrying Kaavan is seen at the Islamabad International Airport in Islamabad, Pakistan on November 30. Like other travellers during these times, Kaavan needed to be tested for Covid-19 before his flight. Once his large metal crate was safely on board, Kaavan was provided with in-flight snacks — 200 kilograms of them — for the seven-hour journey. (Saiyna Bashir / REUTERS)

A crate carrying Kaavan is seen at the zoo before transfer in Islamabad on November 29, 2020. Transporting an adult elephant by plane is no small task, and has only been undertaken a handful of times, AFP reported. (Hristo Vladev / Four Paws via REUTERS)

Cambodian veterinary workers prepare to take samples for disease testing from newly-arrived Asian elephant Kaavan, at the Kulen Prom Tep Wildlife Sanctuary on December 1. So far, Kaavan has been exploring his new surroundings, sniffing curiously and playing with sand, mud and water. (Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP)