The Tragic Farewell to Shankar: Delhi Zoo's Sole African Elephant

Sun Oct 19 2025 17:43:13 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Shankar, the last African elephant at Delhi's zoo, has died after years of isolation. Activists mourn the loss, calling for accountability in animal welfare.

The community of animal welfare advocates is grieving the loss of Shankar, the lone African elephant at Delhi's zoo, who died at the age of 29 after a prolonged period of solitude. Shankar's fate raises questions about animal welfare practices that led to his years of isolation and highlights the urgent need for reform in the treatment of animals in captivity. With the cause of his death currently under investigation, activists demand an end to the cruel practice of keeping social animals in isolation.

Animal welfare activists in India are mourning the death of Shankar, 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, passed away after refusing food on a Wednesday, collapsing just hours later despite veterinary efforts. He was 29 years old.

Shankar's existence was marked by solitude; for over 24 years, including 13 years of solitary confinement, he was separated from his kind after his companion passed away in 2001.

The details surrounding his death are still being investigated. Investigations regarding the cause of death have been ordered, zoo director Sanjeet Kumar explained.

Shankar was one of two African elephants that arrived in India in 1998 as a diplomatic gift from Zimbabwe. While his sibling died soon after their arrival, Shankar became known for his playful demeanor when they were together but became withdrawn after being isolated.

His temporary housing with Asian elephants also failed due to their aggressive behavior, forcing him back into isolation.

In 2012, a new enclosure subjected Shankar to more solitude, despite a federal ban instituted in 2009 on keeping elephants alone for extended periods.

Activists have long pushed for his relocation to a wildlife sanctuary where he could join other African elephants. However, their efforts met with regulatory challenges and a lack of sufficient support from the authorities.

Shankar's decline in health led to renewed calls from activists questioning his living conditions, which many described as inadequate and distressing. It's heartbreaking to see him die like this, said Nikita Dhawan, a prominent animal welfare advocate. It was preventable. He did not have any serious health problems. And he was too young.\

The global body overseeing zoos suspended the Delhi zoo's membership over concerns about Shankar's treatment earlier this year, fetching further attention to his plight. Just before his demise, there were discussions to introduce a female companion for Shankar, but he passed before the plans could be realized.

Shankar's death is a stark reminder of the need for systemic reform in animal welfare practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future.