Holding ground: Activists call for moving Kaavan to a sanctuary

ISLAMABAD:

Animal lovers in Islamabad held another get together outside the enclosure of Kaavan, an Asian elephant at the city’s zoo kept in deplorable conditions, in support of their cause to move him to an animal sanctuary.

Nearly two dozen activists attended the gathering that lasted well over an hour.

Kaavan’s rehabilitation to sanctuary in doldrums

Earlier, the activists had announced to hold a protest but plans changed after CDA Member Administration Amer Ali Ahmad held a meeting over the issue last week.

Feryal Gohar, who is spearheading the campaign, said the protest had been called off for the time being as Ahmad assured them that “CDA will consider the option of moving Kaavan to an animal sanctuary.”

It was decided in the October 15 meeting that animal experts and a representative of Four Paws International (FPI), a UK-based animal welfare charity, will be meeting with CDA high-ups to explore workable options for Kaavan in the coming days.

Freedom: Kaavan unchained

“Based on the advice given by experts, the CDA will decide whether to move Kaavan to a sanctuary or otherwise,” Gohar said.

The next meeting between the experts and the city managers is yet to be scheduled.

Dr Amir Khalil of FPI is also scheduled to travel to Pakistan to attend the upcoming meeting, claims a Facebook post.

FPI has recently approached the city’s managers with an offer to transport this behaviourally challenged elephant to a sanctuary in Myanmar.

After three years in chains, Kaavan walks free

Kaavan has recently been freed from shackles after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif intervened following a global outcry. However, animal experts believe sending the elephant to an animal sanctuary is the only viable solution for his betterment as Islamabad Zoo lacks space and expertise to keep the animal.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2015.