After spending 35 years in Islamabad’s Marghazar zoo, the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ Kaavan departed for a new home in Cambodia on Sunday. According to the Prime Minister’s aide on climate change Malik Amin Aslam, Pakistan’s only Asiatic elephant is being sent to its permanent habitat in Cambodia to lead a cheerful life. The ministry has issued a permit for Kaavan to fly out of the country, reported Geo News.

Speaking to journalists, Aslam said that the animal is being taken to the Islamabad airport from the zoo, and that a special Russian jet has been arranged to transport the elephant.

Kaavan was brought to Pakistan as a young calf from Sri Lanka around 35 years ago. In 2012, he lost his partner Saheli when she died from a gangrenous infection. He was then called the world’s loneliest elephant. Dr Amir Khalil, a veterinarian with Four Paws, an Austria-based animal welfare group spearheading the collaborative operation to transport the 5-ton elephant, said Kaavan was heartbroken after Saheli died.

In May, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruled that the animals kept in Marghazar Zoo were kept in cruel conditions and the zoo should be closed. In July, the court approved the plan to move Kaavan to Cambodia. Kaavan was dubbed as the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ after his plight gained international attention. The unhappy elephant was also diagnosed as emotionally and physically unstable, while veterinarians have said that the elephant was malnourished.

American singer Cher took up Kaavan’s cause and has been vocal regarding his resettlement. She paid him a visit on Friday and thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for making his relocation possible.