Know as the “world’s loneliest elephant” Kaavan an Asian bull elephant relocated to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary with the help of DHL a courier, parcel, and express mail service company that delivers more than 1.5 billion parcels a year.
Kaavan was born in Sri Lanka in 1985 and upon his birth, the Sri Lankan government gifted him the then-president of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq fostering a positive relationship between the two countries. The elephant was kept at the Islamabad Zoo and remained as the only Asian elephant living within Pakistan. Another elephant named Saheli was then brought from Bangladesh five year later and remained as Kaavans partner until her death in 2012.
In September 2016, a news report highlighted the dire conditions in which Kaavan was living, including being bound to chains for over two decades. The Islamabad High Court took up the case in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and handed down the verdict that Kaavan should be freed. It ordered wildlife officials to consult with Sri Lankan authorities to find a suitable sanctuary for the elephant in another country within 30 days. The zoo consequently decided to send the elephant to Cambodia.
This meant extensive and careful planning for months on end by FOUR PAWS, a global animal welfare organization, veterinary specialists, and DHL Global Forwarding. The international specialist arm of Deutsche Post DHL Group took care of the logistics, including the necessary customs authorization of the transport for Kaavan.
Shipping life animals is especially complex as each animal has a unique requirement and Kaavan, who belongs to the largest land mammal species on the Asian continent is the first adult elephant to board an aeroplane in Pakistan. The multimodal journey had to be planned carefully. The temperature was controlled throughout the flight and Kaavan was accompanied by veterinaries to make sure he is safe.
Kaavan was diagnosed earlier this year as being dangerously overweight, owing to his unstable diet of 250kg of sugar cane each day. With the assistance of Khalil, the veterinarian the two were able to work together and ensure a weight loss of 450kg over three months and Kaavan was down to a slimmer, more agile 4tons and height of more than three meters.
The mammoth task of getting him into an elephant-sized metal box design specifically for his travels took several hours and was one of the most crucial steps in rescuing him. The total flight time from Pakistan to Cambodia is 5hours, 33minutes and this is without transportation to and from locations.
Dr. Khalil mentioned that Kaavan behaved like a ‘frequent flyer’ on his journey and was not stressed and had even eaten and slept a bit during the flight. Before embarking on the last leg of his journey to the sanctuary, Buddhist monks gave the elephant bananas and watermelon to welcome him in the country.
The Asian elephant is settling well in his new home and will hopefully no longer be known as the loneliest elephant as three female elephants will be introduced to him and he might have a new partner to share his life with.
We were asked if we can order from TOPS and how alcohol deliveries work on the SPAR2U app. Below are some answers on your TOPS orders and your alcohol deliveries and how it works on the SPAR2U app.
Which Grocery Delivery Apps Work With TOPS Stores?
You can order beverages from participating TOPS stores from the SPAR2U app.
Are Alcohol Deliveries Available From Participating TOPS Stores?
Yes. We deliver alcohol from TOPS stores through the SPAR2U app.
You can find our full list of participating TOPS stores on our where we deliver page.
What Alcohol Delivery Options Are Available on SPAR2U?
You can order beer, wine, spirits and other available products from participating TOPS at SPAR stores through SPAR2U.
Does SPAR2U Deliver Beer, Wine and Spirits on the Same Day?
Yes. We offer same-day alcohol delivery. This is, however, subject to delivery times and legal trading hours.
We were asked about how driver tips work on the SPAR2U app. Below are some answers about driver tips and who gets the money on the SPAR2U app.
Can I Add a Tip for My Driver?
Yes, tips help support drivers and ensures they are rewarded for their effort and service. You can add a tip during the checkout process by selecting the tip amount you desire.
Is Tipping Mandatory?
Tipping is optional but highly appreciated by the drivers for their service.
How is the Tip Amount Charged?
The tip amount is added to your total order amount and charged to your selected payment method.
Do Drivers Receive the Full Tip Amount?
Yes, drivers receive 100% of the tips given by customers. Tips go directly to the driver and are not subject to any fees.
Smarter infrastructure, better connected transport systems and airport experiences that reflect African creativity were at the centre of Runway to Railway: Project Maverick, held at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town on 22 October 2026. The gathering brought aviation, technology and creative perspectives into a discussion about how innovation can improve infrastructure and the experience of the people who use it.
Held under the theme Simply Connect Africa, the event forms part of the Runway to Railway vision conceived by Anna K Hecart, founder and director of Connected Group. The platform brings different sectors together to explore connections between infrastructure, business and opportunity across the continent.
Raising the Bar for African Infrastructure. Panel participants: Dirk Ackerman, moderator; Nicholas Ferguson, Executive Managing Director, RSA Aero; Hasnain Motlekar, Acting Chief Executive Officer, BCX; and York Ning, Director, ICT Marketing & Solution Sales Department, Huawei South Africa.
“Runway to Railway began with a belief that Africa’s progress depends on the connections we make between people, industries and ideas,” said Hecart. “We are pleased to announce the Runway to Railway Expo for November 2027. Our ambition is to bring the people shaping transport, infrastructure and technology together with investors and creative businesses to explore practical solutions and build partnerships that move Africa forward.”
The Expo is being developed as a meeting place for aviation, rail, logistics, infrastructure, technology, tourism and design professionals, alongside investors and public-sector stakeholders. Partners can expect opportunities to showcase their capabilities and connect with potential collaborators. Attendees can look forward to discovering innovations, exchanging ideas and exploring how better connected infrastructure can support African business and communities.
Anna K Hecart, Founder and Director of Connected Group and visionary behind Runway to Railway, addresses the gathering.
The infrastructure conversation brought the airport development perspective together with the technology expertise of BCX and Huawei. It considered how closer collaboration can support better passenger experiences, reliable operations and the practical delivery of connected infrastructure.
“The decisions that shape a passenger’s journey are made across many different organisations,” said Ackerman. “Bringing developers, operators and technology partners together early helps us see how those decisions fit together and where collaboration can make infrastructure work better.”
“An airport is part of a much wider economic network,” said Ferguson. “Its development needs to consider how people arrive, how businesses connect and how the surrounding region benefits. Innovation should support that wider purpose while making the everyday experience more efficient and welcoming.”
“The value of connected infrastructure lies in what it enables people and businesses to do,” said Motlekar. “Reliable networks, secure systems and useful information need to work together. Planning these capabilities from the outset helps organisations improve services and respond as demand changes.”
Gavin Rajah delivered the closing remarks, extending the conversation to the quality and character of retail experiences at African airports. He highlighted the opportunity to bring greater creativity and a stronger expression of African identity into spaces that shape travellers’ first and last impressions of a destination.
“An African airport should give travellers a real sense of place,” said Rajah. “Our retail spaces can do far more to showcase the continent’s design, fashion, food and craft. We have the talent and the stories. The opportunity is to present them with imagination and the quality they deserve, while creating space for African creative businesses to grow.”
Gavin Rajah, closing speaker, addresses creativity and African identity in the airport experience.
Event photographs
The Raising the Bar for African Infrastructure panel at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
An exchange during the infrastructure panel discussion.
A panellist contributes to the infrastructure discussion.
An on-stage presentation during Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests exchange ideas during the luncheon at the Vineyard Hotel.
Guests follow the programme at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests seated during the event programme.
A guest listens during the luncheon.
Guests in conversation during the event.
Networking at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests gather for a photograph at the Vineyard Hotel.
Guests connect outside the event venue.
Conversations continue between programme sessions.
A conversation during the event reception.
A conversation at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
*All photographs featured in this article were captured by: Elvis Nyelenzi