Cher helps rescue world's 'loneliest elephant' from zoo in Pakistan - Fox News

Iconic singer and actress Cher is in Pakistan to celebrate the departure of Kaavan, dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant,” who will soon leave a Pakistani zoo for better conditions after years of lobbying by animal rights groups and activists.

Kaavan is set to leave for a sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday, said Martin Bauer, spokesman for Four Paws International, a global animal welfare group that's led the charge to save Kaavan since 2016.

Khalil said Kaavan was heartbroken after his partner died.

Activists dubbed Kaavan the “world’s loneliest elephant" after his plight gained international attention and the unhappy elephant was diagnosed as emotionally as well as physically damaged.

Even after he’s in Cambodia, Kaavan will require years of physical and even psychological assistance, Bauer said.

For the past three months, a Four Paws team including veterinarian Khalil and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board have been readying Kaavan to leave.

A photographer takes a picture of an elephant named "Kaavan" waiting to be transported to a sanctuary in Cambodia, at the Maragzar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Khalil first met Kaavan in 2016 and returned to the zoo in August, where he was saddened by the animal's condition.

Khalil has spent the last three months trying to get him ready for his trip to Cambodia.

“I was always moving, so never allowed myself to develop an emotional attachment,” but with Kaavan he couldn't resist, Khalil said.

Khalil said there are many elephants at the sanctuary, but in particular three female elephants are awaiting Kaavan's arrival.