The World’s Loneliest Elephant

A heartwarming true story about Kaavan the elephant, his unlikely bond with singer and activist Cher, his rescue by veterinarian and animal rights crusader Dr. Amir Khalil, and relocation to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kaavan grew up in captivity in a Pakistani zoo. For years, he lived in poor conditions with only one friend, an elephant named Saheli. After Saheli died, Kaavan was overcome by grief and his health worsened. When animal rights activists around the world were alerted to Kaavan’s deteriorating condition, Dr. Amir Khalil visited the elephant to see what could be done.

​Thanks to the virality of Kaavan’s story—and with the publicity and fundraising efforts of pop culture icon Cher—Dr. Khalil was able to orchestrate moving Kaavan to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, where he now lives with other elephants. Because of the care and help of so many, Kaavan is no longer the world’s loneliest elephant. And that is the best news of all.

• Praise for The World's Loneliest Elephant:
  
  "Beautifully told.... The illustrations—gouache and acrylic on wood—feature bands of grain below the painted surface that give a hazy beauty to the pages and a remarkable amount of texture to Kaavan’s skin.... Sad, sublime, and surely something special."
  Kirkus Reviews
• "A simply told, true story with great child appeal."
   
  Booklist
• "Together Fletcher and Stoop have brought a lesson home, showing the importance of individual and group action, and the true story of an elephant now living his best life on a reserve…. A great story about the world’s loneliest elephant and how activism and a few dedicated people saved him."
  SLJ
• "We are very happy this book will share Kaavan’s story with young readers who now have the chance to learn more about this magnificent and forgiving elephant."
  Saengduean "Lek" Chailert, Founder of Elephant Nature Park and Co-Founder of Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary