Subscribe to our YouTube channel for free here:
https://sc.mp/subscribe-youtube

Dr Amir Khalil thought he was just going on another job. The veterinarian from the Vienna-based charity Four Paws International had been invited to Pakistan, where he was tasked with training a five-tonne Asian elephant in preparation for his relocation to a sanctuary in Cambodia. Kaavan had spent more than 30 years in the Marghazar zoo in Islamabad, after being gifted to Pakistan by Sri Lanka in 1985.

After decades of mistreatment, and a years-long campaign that gained international attention, Pakistan’s High Court finally ordered that the zoo be shut down, and Kaavan be moved to a new home. Dr Khalil knew moving Kaavan would be a monumental task, but he didn’t expect he’d form such a close bond with the elephant. “It is the first time in 30 years I built a relation with an animal,” he said.

Kaavan is now in his new home at the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, which is still raising funds to build him a forest habitat. You can learn more at: spot.fund/Kavaan

Related story:
Cambodia set to welcome ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ with happier new home https://sc.mp/ke6d

Support us:
https://subscribe.scmp.com

Follow us on:
Website: https://www.scmp.com
Facebook:   / scmp  
Twitter:   / scmpnews  
Instagram:   / scmpnews  
Linkedin:   / south-china-morning-post  

#scmp #SCMPFilms