Kaavan, the lone elephant of Marghazar Zoo is slowly recuperating back to health after becoming hero of many a news stories and rumours related to retirement plan in Myanmar.
Pakistan Today visited the zoo to do a follow up story on Kaavan who was even alleged to suffer from mental illness after the death of her female partner Sohaili. There were reports that the elephant has become dangerous with erratic behaviour patterns.
A movement on social media was raised titled “Free Kaavan the Elephant” by a local activist for 42 years old elephant of Marghazar Zoo. The movement received a massive response at both national and international level.
American singer and pop star Cher sent her representative Mark Cowne to make an effort to rescue the elephant from miserable living conditions. Cowne spent two days in Islamabad and contemplated that not just Kaavan, some other animals were also living in appalling circumstances. Cowne and her wife have worked with wildlife in Africa for many years.
Muhammad Jalal, caretaker of Kaavan in the zoo, claimed that a hefty amount has been collected in the name of Kaavan. The international organisations have collected dollars for the foul agenda of transporting Kaavan from Marghazar Zoo. He further said that now Kaavan is perfectly healthy and the false propaganda campaign spearheaded by individuals about his health has bit the dust.
Marghzar Zoo has a history of deaths of many other animal species. This is due to shortage of funds and non-availability of modern facilities and lack of proper care for the animals in zoo. Much work is needed to be done to make Marghzar zoo to elevate it on to international standards, to provide the state-of-the-art facilities to the visitor as well as animals in the zoo. Furthermore, international celebrities, animal lover foreigners and locals have a great support for this movement to take out animals from these woeful conditions.
Jalal told Pakistan Today that Kaavan was a gift given to Ziaul Haq’s daughter. It is our national asset and we will protect and take care of it by all means necessary, he said.
He further added that Kaavan has been picked by some individuals to gain personal benefits and fame. It will be against our national honour to send Kaavan abroad and will make us look feeble, uncivilised and negligent for not taking care of an elephant.
When asked about Kaavan’s diet, he said he consumes around 150 kg of sugar cane, five kg bread and ten kg apple every day.
The plight of Kaavan also made its way to the senators. Malik Salim, the spokesperson of Capital Development Authority, when contacted said that his organisation has given recommendations to Senate to create better living condition for Kaavan the elephant.
“Kaavan is perfectly fine. He is alone but not mentally ill and we are arranging a new partner for him. We are determined to take care of all animals in the zoo,” he added.