An elephant who has become a cause for animal rights activists around the world will be allowed to leave his Pakistani zoo and transferred to better conditions, the animal welfare group helping with the case said.

Dubbed the "world’s loneliest elephant" by his supporters, Kaavan has languished at a zoo in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad for more than 35 years.

According to Martin Bauer, a spokesman for Four Paws, said the elephant has been finally given medical approval to travel, most likely to Cambodia, where he will find companionship and better conditions.