That was exactly what Kaavan, an elephant living in the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, went through.
Moving to a new home
According to a report by Mashable, the gentle giant, which has often been dubbed as the world’s loneliest elephant, has been living in the zoo with his partner Saheli since the year 1985.After Saheli died in 2012, Kaavan was forced to live alone.
However, thanks to animal welfare organization Four Paws, Kaavan will be relocated to a better place and hopefully a better life.
Kaavan's journey to freedom has not been an easy one though.
Previously, the zoo had been ordered to close by the Islamabad High Court due to its poor living conditions.
Over the years, there where reports of many animals going missing and more than two dozen animals died in the last four years.
Since the zoo is now controlled by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, Four Paws was invited to help relocate surviving animals, including Kaavan.
While the wildlife veterinarians and experts who examined Kaavan said he is not in great shape and is obese, as well as mentally unhealthy due to being alone for such a long time, they said he is fit to be relocated.
While they have yet to decide where Kaavan will relocated to, Four Paws said he will most probably end up in an animal sanctuary in Cambodia.
As Cambodia is home to some of the safest and most well-looked after elephant sanctuaries in the world, we believe Kaavan will enjoy his time there.
Hang in there, Kaavan! Freedom is coming soon.