ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday expressed best wishes for Kavaan and hoped that the animal would live a happy life in its natural habitat.

“This court wishes Kaavan bon voyage and expects that other animal species would be safeguarded from harm by seeking guidance from its example,” the court noted.

It appears that the retirement of Kaavan would be a happy ending to the agony and loneliness suffered by it for 35 years, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah stated in the order sheet issued following a hearing on Friday.

Dr Amir Khalil, amicus curiae, appeared along with former Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) chairman Dr Anisur Rehman before the court.

They explained the arrangements made for the relocation of Kaavan to a sanctuary in Cambodia and briefed the court about the travel arrangements relating to the two Himalayan brown bears.

The court said Kaavan was not just a living being but also represented the jurisprudence laid down by the court in its judgements dated May 21, 2020, and July 18, 2020.

Justice Minallah hopes other animals will be safeguarded from harm

“This court has been informed that President Dr Arif Alvi had visited Kaavan to bid him farewell because he is scheduled to travel to Cambodia on Nov 29. The worthy President is reported to have said that the jurisprudence of this court was in line with the Islamic traditions of caring for animals and keeping them in an environment best suited to them,” the court order said.

Kaavan and the two brown bears were exposed to unimaginable pain and suffering because they were not created to be caged at Marghazar Zoo or, for that matter, subjected to any other form of confinement. They should never have been deprived of their natural habitats, it added.

Justice Minallah observed that the elephant could have been taken care of in Pakistan but this was not its natural habitat. The elephant belongs to its natural habitat, the home created for its species by nature. Its relocation is symbolic. It is a message for the human race that it is not humane to deprive animal species of their respective natural habitats.

The agony of Kaavan will finally come to an end when it is relocated to the sanctuary in Cambodia where it will be able to live the life of an elephant for which it was created and in an environment that would cater to its behavioural, social and physiological needs, the court order added.

“Kaavan and other animals at the zoo would have continued to suffer unimaginable pain and suffering had it not been for the passion of thousands of caring human beings from across the globe, including celebrities such as Cher.

“This court records its profound appreciation for the care and love displayed by Dr Amir Khalil, the amicus curiae, who is reported to have compensated Kaavan for part of its pain and suffering.” The court sought a report regarding the relocation of Kaavan and the two Himalayan brown bears on the next date of hearing on Dec 21.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2020