Shankar (elephant)

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Shankar
Shankar the elephant at Delhi Zoo, India. Photo: Nikita Dhawan
Shankar the elephant at Delhi Zoo, India. Photo: Nikita Dhawan
SpeciesAfrican elephant
SexMale
Born1996
Africa
Captive atDelhi Zoo, India

Shankar is an African elephant that was gifted to India by the Zimbabwe government in 1998. He was placed in Delhi zoo along with another elephant named Bombai. However, after Bombai's death in 2005, Shankar has been living in isolation.[1]

Capture

In 1998, an elephant aged 2 was captured in Africa and presented as a diplomatic gift to the Minister of State for Environment & Forests, Shri Babu Lal Marandi in India by the High Commissioner of Zimbabwe. Shri Babu Lal Marandi named the young elephant "Shankar".

Controversy

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.[2]

Shankar exhibits aggressive behavior during his “musth” phase, which is a period of heightened sexual activity and hormonal changes in male elephants. During this phase, he has tried to break the walls of his enclosure and hurt his mahout. He has also shown signs of stress and frustration, such as striking his head against the wall and attempting to escape. The zoo authorities have medicated him to control his testosterone levels and chained him to prevent him from harming himself or others. This phase usually lasts for a few months every year.[3]

Advocacy

A petition was filed in the Delhi High Court by Nikita Dhawan, founder of the non-profit Youth For Animals, seeking to send Shankar back to Africa and rehabilitate him in a wildlife sanctuary that houses other African elephants.[1]

See also

External links

References