Animal welfare activists in India are mourning the death of a much-loved elephant they long sought to rehabilitate.
Shankar, the lone African elephant at Delhi's zoo who spent much of his life in isolation, refused food on Wednesday and collapsed by evening. Despite veterinary efforts, the 29-year-old male died within 40 minutes, officials said.
For 24 years, Shankar endured a lonely existence - including at least 13 spent in solitary confinement.
The cause of his death is unknown yet. Investigation regarding the cause of death has been ordered, zoo director Sanjeet Kumar told BBC.
Shankar was among two African elephants that arrived in India in 1998 as a diplomatic gift from Zimbabwe to former India President Shankar Dayal Sharma. However, Shankar's companion died in 2001, leaving him alone.
After his companion's death, Shankar was temporarily lodged with the Asian elephants in the zoo, but the plan did not work due to aggression between the elephants, leading to his isolation.
In 2012, Shankar was moved to a new enclosure that left him virtually in solitary confinement - despite a 2009 federal ban against keeping elephants alone for more than six months. He remained there until his death.
Activists have been calling for Shankar's relocation to a wildlife sanctuary, emphasizing the importance of social interaction for elephants. In 2021, a petition was filed for his transfer, but the court dismissed it, directing the petitioner to seek approval from the committee handling zoo animal transfers.
Until Shankar's death, he was one of only two African elephants in India, the other residing in Mysore zoo. Zoos across India have struggled to find mates for the two African males, hampered by regulatory hurdles and welfare concerns.
Shankar's living conditions have faced criticism from activists; his enclosure was described as bleak and inadequate. It's heartbreaking to see him die like this, said Nikita Dhawan, founder of Youth For Animals, a group that campaigned for Shankar's rehabilitation.
Animal welfare activist Gauri Maulekhi emphasized the systemic failures regarding Shankar’s care, calling for accountability. In October 2024, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums suspended the Delhi zoo's membership due to concerns about Shankar's conditions. The zoo was given a deadline to improve his living situation or relocate him.
Officials stated they did not have updated reports on Shankar's health before his sudden demise, reflecting a tragic end to a life spent in solitude and neglect.
