Singer Cher has played a pivotal role in rescuing the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ from decades of captivity.

A 36-year-old overweight Asian elephant, who has spent much of his life in isolation, is now heading to a sanctuary in Cambodia, thanks to the efforts of American pop star Cher.

Pakistan’s only Asian elephant endured years of suffering in a controversial zoo in Islamabad, where he faced confinement, limited exercise, and damaged, deformed nails due to unsuitable living conditions.

After losing his companion in 2012, Kaavan became known as the 'world’s loneliest elephant.' Since 2016, Cher has been a driving force behind the social media campaign to secure his relocation.

Earlier this year, Islamabad’s High Court shut down the zoo due to its poor conditions and granted the animal welfare organization Four Paws the authority to remove Kaavan. The elephant was originally gifted to Pakistan by Sri Lanka 35 years ago, when he was just a baby, according to the organization.

Early on Monday morning, local time in Pakistan, Free The Wild, the charity co-founded by Cher, announced on Instagram that Kaavan was being loaded onto a plane to begin his journey to Cambodia.

Before the flight, experts from Four Paws prepared Kaavan for the confined space and the loud noises of the plane using bananas and other treats as positive reinforcement.

The Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary shared on Facebook that Kaavan will now live in a vast jungle habitat, where most of his food will be sourced naturally. However, he’ll also enjoy fruit treats to 'satisfy his sweet tooth.' Three other elephants already reside at the sanctuary.

Cher first learned about Kaavan through Twitter, according to a statement from the Smithsonian Channel, which is producing a documentary about the elephant’s journey.

'I thought, how can I fix this? How can I help an elephant who has been chained to a shed for 17 years and is a thousand miles away?' Cher recalled. 'This is Free The Wild’s first major rescue, and I’m incredibly proud of it.'

Before Kaavan’s journey, Cher traveled to Pakistan and serenaded him with the song 'A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.'

On Friday, after meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, Cher took to Twitter to thank him 'for making it possible for me to take Kaavan to Cambodia.'

A statement from the Prime Minister’s office said that Imran Khan, the former cricket star, had expressed his gratitude to Cher and invited her to continue supporting environmental initiatives in Pakistan.

Additional coverage provided by Reuters.