Animal welfare activists in India are expressing concern following the death of Shankar, a 29-year-old African elephant at the Delhi zoo. Shankar collapsed after refusing food and was declared dead shortly after, despite attempts by veterinary staff to assist him. The cause of his death remains unknown, and an investigation has been initiated by zoo officials.
Shankar had lived a largely isolated life at the zoo for 24 years, including at least 13 years in solitary confinement. He was one of two African elephants gifted to India in 1998 from Zimbabwe. His companion died in 2001, and although there was an attempt to introduce him to Asian elephants, the effort was unsuccessful due to aggression between the animals.
In 2012, Shankar was moved to a new enclosure that left him isolated, which was contrary to a federal ban from 2009 that prohibits individual confinement of elephants beyond six months. Activists had long pushed for Shankar’s relocation to a wildlife sanctuary, where he could live with other African elephants. However, a 2021 petition for this relocation was dismissed by a Delhi court, directing petitioners to consult the relevant animal transfer committee.
Shankar was one of only two African elephants in Indian zoos; the other resides in Mysore. Concerns have been raised regarding the difficulties in finding companions for African elephants in India, often due to regulatory and financial barriers. Following Shankar’s death, animal rights representatives criticized the conditions of his confinement, asserting that they reflected neglect and called for systemic accountability.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums had previously suspended the Delhi zoo’s membership over concerns regarding Shankar’s living conditions, with a deadline for improvements or relocation set for April 2025. Despite plans to introduce him to a female companion, these efforts were not realized before his passing.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2nlevy2gpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss