ISLAMABAD: Approximately two dozen people staged a protest at the Islamabad Zoo to pressure the Capital Development Authority (CDA) into releasing Kaavan, the lone elephant, into an international sanctuary.

Kaavan, who is now 31, was recently unchained following global protests on social media, causing the prime minister to intervene. Kaavan was brought to the zoo in 1985, and his partner Saheli died in 2012.

After Saheli’s death, the CDA kept Kaavan chained. After continuous protests, the authority is now trying to bring two more elephants – from Sri Lanka or Singapore – to keep Kaavan company.

Animal rights activists congregated at the Islamabad Zoo on Saturday and demanded that the CDA release Kaavan into an animal sanctuary abroad.

“This is cruelty. The elephant should be freed to a sanctuary. [Kaavan] can’t live in solitary confinement,” Sunny Jamil, an activist, said. He added that elephants typically live in groups, but Kaavan has been confined for a long time.

“Today, other animal lovers are protesting in front of Pakistani embassies around the world against Kaavan’s confinement. Our simple and final demand is that the elephant be freed to a sanctuary,” Jamil told Dawn.

Activist Faryal Gauhar questioned the CDA’s decision to keep Kaavan confined. She said the issue would be taken up at every forum.

CDA Member Environment Mustafain Kazmi, who is in charge of the zoo’s affairs, said that the CDA is trying to import two more elephants.

“We can’t send Kaavan to any sanctuary because we have raised it from a calf. We are not going to accept the illogical demands of a few so-called animal lovers and NGO officials,” he said.

Published in Dawn October 4th, 2015

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