Help Us Free Captive Animals
Join the Kaavan Club
Participate in highlighting the plight of captive animals.
Take a pledge to think critically and with compassion about the relationship between human and non-human animals.
Together, let’s tackle animal abuse. Visit our Curated Content page to learn about how you can reduce your animal-cruelty footprint.
If you have an idea or initiative in the works, visit our Community Grant page for financial assistance.
KAHANI MERI is a song based on the true story of Kaavan—the world’s loneliest elephant.
After spending 35 years of his life in chains at Islamabad Zoo, on November 29, Kaavan is leaving for a sanctuary in Cambodia. Soon he will be roaming free with three other elephants in a wildlife sanctuary, but around 1 million animals would still be locked in over 10,000 zoos across the globe.
KAHANI MERI is our first in-house endeavor to highlight the story of animal exploitation, primarily focusing on the plight of millions of animals worldwide in captivity. You can play your part to become a voice for those who have no voice.
We Have the Power to Impact Their Future, and We’re Doing Something About It
Captivity drives animals insane. Zoos don’t just force animals into a life of loneliness and misery, the animals also develop neurotic and self-harming behavior. That is rarely if ever, observed in the wild. Birds may pluck out their own feathers, elephants often sway back and forth, tigers pace perpetually, primates may throw feces and may eat their own vomit, and polar bears similar to aquatic animals are often seen swimming endlessly in frenzied patterns.
After 35 long years of captivity, Kaavan has been relocated to a sanctuary in Cambodia. We are on a mission to save as many Kaavan’s as we can.
Along with an army of activists and lawyers, the organizations below were instrumental in setting Kaavan free.
free the wild
FTW endeavours to stop the suffering of wild animals in captivity and release them into sanctuaries or better equipped zoos.
four paws international
Four Paws is the global animal welfare organisation for animals which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them.
lek’s sanctuary
Lek Chailert is the founder of Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia at the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.
leibniz institute for zoo & wildlife research
The Leibniz-IZW is an internationally renowned German research institute with the goal to understand the adaptability of wildlife.
Instantly Double Your Impact
UMANO Will Match Every $1 Donated in 2020!
Donate now
Donations are deductible by US tax payers
Kaavan
After 35 years of captivity in the Islamabad Zoo, Kaavan has been relocated to a sanctuary in Cambodia. These images were taken during the rehabilitation process before his journey to a new life.
Photos by Kamran on Bike
Learn about other captive elephants
