Shankar, the Only African Elephant at Delhi Zoo, Dies at 29
NEW DELHI: Shankar, the sole African elephant residing at the Delhi Zoo, passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 29. Zoo officials reported that Shankar exhibited no signs of illness until September 16. The following morning, he began to eat significantly fewer leaves and grasses, though he continued to consume fruits and vegetables. He also experienced mild loose motion.
The veterinary team treated Shankar and monitored his condition closely. However, at approximately 7:25 PM on Wednesday, he collapsed in his shed. Despite emergency medical efforts, Shankar was pronounced dead at 8 PM. An inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of his death, with a post-mortem being conducted by experts from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, along with officials from the Union Ministry of Environment.
Shankar arrived in India in November 1998 as a gift from Zimbabwe and became a prominent attraction at the zoo for the past 27 years. Throughout his life, he faced ongoing health challenges related to musth, a natural condition in male elephants characterized by elevated testosterone levels that can lead to erratic behavior. During these periods, Shankar was often restrained, raising concerns about his welfare. Notably, in 2024, incidents involving injuries and prolonged confinement prompted the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) to suspend the Delhi Zoo’s membership due to its handling of Shankar.
