Alvi bids Kavaan adieu

President wants Islamabad Zoo re-established quickly

ISLAMABAD:

A day after he was serenaded to Frank Sinatra, President Dr Arif Alvi and First Lady Samina Alvi paid a farewell visit to Kavaan - the capital's lone elephant.

Having lived in Islamabad for over 35 years, Kavaan is set to fly to a sanctuary in Cambodia later this week following orders from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

During his visit, the president interacted with the pachyderm. He said that the outstanding judgment passed by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah was in line with Islamic traditions of caring for animals and keeping them in an environment which is best suited to them.

He said detaching young animals from their mothers was the biggest cause of their emotional distress.

Dr Alvi expressed the confidence that Kavaan will find happiness in Cambodia after being surrounded by his fellow bull elephants.

The president stressed the need for raising awareness amongst the public about animal rights and environmental care apart from the implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1890, that provides a good basis for the protection of animals.

With many children sad to see Kavaan prepare for his departure, Dr Avli emphasized the need to speed up the process of re-establishing the Islamabad Zoo.

Later, the president and first lady were shown a specially-prepared crate for Kavaan which will hold him for the airlift to Cambodia.

Four Paws’ veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil said that Kavaan will be initially kept at the Cambodian sanctuary for a month before being shifted to a 25,000-acre forest area which will allow his free movement.

He added that his organization will move a request through the Climate Change Ministry to the Civil Aviation Authority for a direct air route for Kavaan’s aircraft to cross over Sri Lanka instead of India.

Four Paws spokesperson Marion Lombard said on November 29, preparations for Kavaan's departure will commence at 6am.

After Kavaan, two bears will also be relocated to a sanctuary in Jordan on December 6.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2020.