THE death of a beloved elephant has sent animal activists into mourning after efforts to rehabilitate the lonely creature.
Shankar – who was the only African elephant in Delhi’s zoo in India – died on Wednesday evening after refusing food for most of the day.
GettyDelhi zoo’s lone African elephant Shankar died on Wednesday evening[/caption]
AlamyDespite laws banning keeping elephants isolated for more than six months, Shankar lived alone in his enclosure for years[/caption]
The 29-year-old elephant died within 40 minutes of collapsing, despite veterinary staff’s best efforts.
The cause of his death is yet to be determined.
Sanjeet Kumar, Delhi’s zoo director told the BBC an investigation into Shankar’s death had been launched.
He said there had been “no report of sickness or abnormal behaviour” from Shankar’s minders until Wednesday morning.
Shankar first arrived in India with another elephant in 1998 as a diplomatic gift from Zimbabwe to the former Indian President Shankar Dayal Sharma.
Shankar’s companion died just a few years later, in 2001, leaving Shankar alone.
A former zoo official who chose to remain anonymous, said after his companion’s death, the zoo had tried to integrate Shankar in with the Asian elephants.
The plan ultimately failed, when Shankar and the other elephants were “aggressive towards each other”.
“[Shankar] was playful when his companion was there. They were popular among zoo visitors,” the official said.
“[His] behaviour changed after the other African elephant died. Shankar never accepted any other elephant’s company, neither did they accept Shankar’s.
“He was left friendless.”
In 2012, the majestic giant was moved into a new enclosure, which left him in solitary confinement – despite a 2009 federal ban on keeping elephants alone for more than six months.
Shankar remained in the enclosure, alone, until his death.
Outraged activists had been demanding for Shankar’s release into a wildlife sanctuary that specialised in rehabilitating African elephants.
In 2023, a Delhi high court dismissed a petition – launched by Nikita Dhawan, founder of the non-profit Youth for Animals – for Shankar’s relocation, and directed Nikita to approach the committee handling transfers of wild animals by zoos.
Shankar was one of just two African elephants in India’s zoos, with the other adult male living in Mysore zoo in Karnataka.
AlamyThe average life span of an elephant is 70 years (stock image)[/caption]
AlamyA petition to help rehabilitate Shankar had been turned down by a Delhi high court in 2023[/caption]
Zoos have struggled to find mates or companions for the two males.
Efforts were thwarted by high costs, multiple levels of approval and welfare concerns, according to the Indian Express.
Activists have long criticised the conditions Shankar was living in, describing his enclosure as “bleak and inadequate”.
Nikita said: “It was heart-breaking to see him die like this”.
“It was easily preventable,” she said.
“He did not have any serious health problems, and he was too young.”
The average healthy elephant lives up to 70 years.
Gauri Maulekhi, another animal activist said Shankar’s death reflected “years of institutional apathy and neglect”.
She added that it was a systemic failure and demanded accountability for the elephant’s death.
“An internal inquiry is simply not enough,” she told the BBC.
“[This must] serve as a watershed moment to end the cruel practice of keeping elephants and other social animals isolated in our zoos for good.”
Mr Kumar did not answer specific questions regarding allegations of animal neglect, but said “all care and upkeep was followed”.
GettyShankar’s original companion died in 2001[/caption]
Shankar’s death comes after the Delhi zoo lost its membership to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in October last year, after concerns about his living conditions were raised.
After the association received reports the elephant had been chained up, they issued a warning for the zoo to relocate or improve Shankar’s care before April 2025.
If the zoo failed to comply, its membership to the association was to be terminated.
Just one day after the suspension notice, a federal minister inspected Shankar’s enclosure and said his health looked better.
The government had announced plans to introduce a female companion for Shankar in October, saying Zimbabwe and Botswana had begun the formal processes with the zoo.
Sadly Shankar died before a companion could arrive.