Shankar (elephant)
Sex: Male
Species: African Elephant
Date of Birth: 1996
Place of Birth: Unknown
Location of capture: Unknown
Date of capture: 1998
Age at capture: Approx 2
Captive at: Delhi Zoo, India
History
Shanka was presented to the Minister of State for Environment & Forests, Shri Babu Lal Marandi by the High Commissioner of Zimbabwe to India, Dr. Neville Ndondo. The 26 month old male elephant was named Shankar by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests.
Shankar is chained for 17 hours of the day and does not have adequate space to move around when he is let out. He constantly demonstrates stereotypical behaviour like swaying and head-bobbing, a key sign of distress. His aggressive behaviour has necessitated the zoo authorities to permanently close the viewing pathway since he could be a danger to visitors.
Shankar was captured from the wild in 1998 and has been living in a cramped enclosure at the zoo ever since. Despite numerous attempts to improve his living conditions, Shankar's plight remains dire.
See also
List of living captive elephants
External links
Youth For Animals Petition Help free Shankar from decades of solitary confinement in the Delhi Zoo Change.org
Teen makes plea to relocate Shankar the elephant from Indian zoo ABC News
Elephants living alone in zoos around the world The Animal Reader
Plea to send lonely African animal home from India BBC
Elephants in Zoos: A Legacy of Shame Born Free
Shankar News Animal Advocate Hub
Copy Of The Letter Addressed To: The Director Of The National Zoological Park In Delhi 29th October 2021 Pro Elephant Network
Episode 7: Freeing Shankar The Think Wildlife Podcast
Youth For Animals All About Animals Radio
Voices Carry For Animals #360 Youth for Animals (YFA) Blog Talk Radio