Animal welfare activists in India mourn the death of Shankar, a much-loved elephant they long sought to rehabilitate.
Shankar, Delhi zoo’s only African elephant, refused food on Wednesday and collapsed by evening. Veterinarians tried to save him, but the 29-year-old male died within 40 minutes, officials said.
For 24 years, Shankar endured a lonely existence, including at least 13 years in solitary confinement. The cause of death remains unknown. “Investigation regarding the cause of death has been ordered,” zoo director Sanjeet Kumar said.
A Gift That Became a Tragedy
Shankar arrived in India in 1998 as a diplomatic gift from Zimbabwe to former President Shankar Dayal Sharma, along with another African elephant. His companion died in 2001, leaving Shankar alone, Mr. Kumar said.
A former zoo official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that Shankar was briefly placed with the Asian elephants after his companion’s death, but the plan failed. “They were very aggressive towards one another,” he said. “Shankar was playful when his companion was there. They were popular among zoo visitors. After the other elephant died, Shankar never accepted any company, nor did others accept him. He was left friendless.”
In 2012, zoo authorities moved Shankar to a new enclosure, effectively leaving him in solitary confinement. This continued despite a 2009 federal ban on keeping elephants alone for more than six months. He remained in isolation until his death.
Longstanding Calls for Rehabilitation
Activists had repeatedly demanded Shankar’s transfer to a wildlife sanctuary that houses other African elephants. In 2021, a petition in Delhi’s high court sought his relocation. Two years later, the court dismissed the petition, directing petitioners to approach the committee handling transfers of wild animals between zoos.
Until Wednesday, India had only two African elephants in its zoos. The other male lives in Mysore zoo, Karnataka. Zoos struggled to find mates for the two elephants due to high costs, regulatory hurdles, approvals, and welfare concerns, according to reports.
Activists criticized Shankar’s enclosure as bleak and inadequate. “It’s heartbreaking to see him die like this,” said Nikita Dhawan, founder of Youth For Animals, who filed the 2021 petition. “It was preventable. He did not have any serious health problems. He was too young.” African elephants usually live up to 70 years.
Mr. Kumar said there were no reports of sickness or abnormal behavior in Shankar until Wednesday morning.
Years of Neglect
Animal welfare activist Gauri Maulekhi said Shankar’s death reflects years of institutional apathy and called it a systemic failure requiring accountability. “An internal inquiry is not enough. This was a systemic failure and must serve as a watershed moment to end the cruel practice of keeping elephants and other social animals isolated in our zoos,” she said.
When asked about neglect, Mr. Kumar stated that all care and upkeep was followed but declined further specifics.
In October 2024, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums suspended Delhi zoo’s membership over Shankar’s living conditions, reporting that he had been chained. The association gave the zoo until April 2025 to either relocate him or improve his care, warning that membership would be terminated if the deadline passed.
A day after the suspension, a federal minister inspected Shankar’s enclosure and said his health looked better. On 15 October, the government announced plans to bring him a female companion, with Zimbabwe and Botswana showing interest and formalities underway.
Officials said they received no further notices from the global body. Shankar died before a companion could arrive.
