A year on since Kaavan arrived at his new home in a northern Cambodian sanctuary, the once “world’s loneliest elephant” has undergone a dramatic transformation, according to Ministry of Environment spokesman Neth Pheaktra on December 8.

Kaavan’s colour now better resembles that of a wild elephant, his body is bulkier and stockier, his tusks are slightly longer, his toenails are in better shape, and there’s more hair on his back, he said.

Lonely no more, the 36-year-old elephant is healthy, physically fit and in high spirits at the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Oddar Meanchey province, he said, noting that Kaavan arrived on November 30, 2020, after years of living at a Pakistan zoo.

“I am very proud to see Kaavan, known as the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’, now healthier, calmer and more accustomed to people. He is gentler and no longer lonely,” Pheaktra said.

A far cry from his former self, Kaavan now has a more peaceful and loveable demeanour, and no longer shows signs of stress, he said, adding that the elephant is all too eager to take food from people and form emotional bonds with them.

Kaavan currently lives in a 12ha natural forest area with three female companions with whom he socialises, under the care of the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary organisation.