Rescuers of Kaavan Heave A Sigh of Relief after He Lands in Cambodia

Rescuers of Kaavan Heave A Sigh of Relief after He Lands in Cambodia

After a two-an-half hour effort to unload the Kaavan the elephant’s crate safely to the ground after the rescue flight landed at the Siem Reap International Airport, prompting everyone, including Four Paws representatives, singer Cher, Ministry of Environment spokesman Neth Pheaktra and Free the Wild representatives, to heave a sigh of relief.

Kaavan finally arrived at his new home in Cambodia. He was taken to the Conservation of Wildlife Sanctuary of Cambodia (CWS) at around 4.30 pm yesterday.

Pheaktra said: “Cambodia is pleased to welcome Kaavan. No longer will he be “the world’s loneliest elephant”. He will live out his life in a natural environment under the care of the Ministry of Environment and [CWS].”

Pheaktra also said that Cambodia has a tradition of welcoming people and creatures from far and wide. Cambodia salutes the efforts of Four Paws International, American entertainer Cher and many others who made Kaavan’s journey possible.

Kaavan’s new home in Cambodia is at Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary in Oddar Meanchey province on the northern section of the country. It is one of 68 protected areas and corridors in the Kingdom.

Cambodia is moderately rich in biological diversity and levels of endemism. Cambodia is home for some world’s rare species.

“Kaavan is one of an endangered breed of Asian elephants that exists in Cambodia. Pachyderms can live for many years and, even at 36, we hope that he will contribute to the gene pool,” said Pheaktra.

Kaavan arrives in Cambodia and is blessed by monks. MoE
Once Kaavan feels at home in a controlled setting, he will be released in the wildlife sanctuary where some 600 Asian elephants live in peace and tranquillity.

Illegal activities that once threatened the population have been curbed significantly in recent years thanks to the effective enforcement of protective regulations.

Dr Khalil from Four Paws said: “We all have been awake since three days before the flight. The flight was around eight hours, but the preparations took 24 hrs prior to the flight.”

He said that the whole team along with the pilot and crew were worried in case Kaavan moved in his crate during the flight, it would have been very difficult as the elephant could shake the whole plane when in the sky.

However, Kaavan somehow knew that he was being sent to a better place and that he is special, so he was very calm, said Dr Khalil.

Cher cried when she finally saw Kaavan at the Siem Reap airport and was very happy and excited to see the struggle finally paying off. She collaborated with Free the Wild and with voicing out the plea to save Kaavan.

“I am so glad and happy that our plan is finally successful. Once Kaavan settles in his new environment, I am eagerly waiting for Kaavan to meet his female mates and hoping that he finds love and a mate for life,” she said.