Elephant relocated to Cambodia enjoys his new home

An elephant which has been labelled the "world's loneliest" settled into his new enclosure at a Cambodian wildlife sanctuary on Tuesday after languishing alone in a Pakistani zoo for years.

Kaavan, a 1985 gift from Sri Lanka to Pakistan, had been living at the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad with his partner Saheli, who died in 2012.

After living a solitary life for years, the 36-year-old, 4,080 kilogram (9,000 pound) elephant was relocated to Kulen Prom Tep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province.

Kaavan received a warm welcome on arrival in Cambodia from officials, conservationists and the Buddhist monks, who chanted prayers for his harmony and prosperity.

Officials have said that Kaavan would initially be kept in a quarantine enclosure, then moved into another area for rehabilitation before he is able to roam in a bigger enclosure, covering several hectares.

The plight of the male Asian elephant has captured worldwide attention, including from the American singer and actor Cher, who has been closely involved in his rescue and was in Cambodia for Kaavan's arrival.