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Kaavan was tested for COVID-19 before his seven-hour journey, which was complete with 440 pounds of snacks. Amir Khalil, a veterinarian who accompanied him on the flight and works with Four Paws, the animal rescue group that organized the move, described Kaavan as behaving like a \"frequent flier,\" telling The Associated Press that the elephant did not seem stressed and even slept while standing in his crate.

Very few elephants have been relocated by plane, according to Four Paws.

On Monday, Kaavan was greeted in Cambodia by chanting Buddhist monks before he made his way north by truck to his new home in the Oddar Meanchey province. Once he feels settled, he will be released from his temporary enclosure and allowed to roam the sanctuary, which houses about 600 Asian elephants, Neth Pheaktra, a spokesman for Cambodia's Environment Ministry, said in a statement.

\"PHOTO:
AP
PHOTO: Cher watches as a rescued elephant named Kaavan arrives at the international airport, Nov. 30, 2020, in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
>

Animal rights groups and activists lobbied for years to relocate Kaavan into better conditions.

Kaavan will require years of psychological and physical assistance, experts have said. Living in an enclosure with improper flooring caused his nails to crack and overgrow, and he developed a habit of shaking his head back and forth for hours, which veterinarians attributed to boredom.

\"PHOTO:
Saiyna Bashir/Reuters
PHOTO: Kaavan, an elephant waiting to be transported to a sanctuary in Cambodia, is seen beside a crate during a farewell ceremony at the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, Nov. 23, 2020.
>

The elephant has lost half a ton since his diet was changed to fruit and vegetables, Khalil said. He was previously eating about 550 pounds of pure sugarcane every day and some fruits and vegetables.

The Islamabad zoo where he spent much of his life has been ordered to shut down.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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