Shankar, the only African elephant in Delhi’s Zoo died on Wednesday night at a young age of 29. In a press note Thursday, National Zoological Park (NZP) stated, “He was consuming leaves and grasses with slight loose motion but was taking concentrate, fruits, and vegetables normally.” A probe has been ordered to ascertain the cause of death.
As per the zoo officials his condition was noted on Wednesday morning with immediate treatment given by NZP veterinarians. However, later that night, “Shankar suddenly collapsed in his shed, and despite emergency treatment, succumbed to death,” read the press statement.
Shankar, who was a gift to India from Zimbabwe, was with Delhi Zoo for 27 years. He arrived in November 1998 and was cherished by the staff for its gentle nature and majestic presence.
Shankar was living alone since 2005, after the death of a female African elephant named Bambai. Over the years, Shankar suffered recurring health issues linked to musth — a condition in which a male elephant’s testosterone levels rise sharply, causing aggressive and unpredictable behaviour.
During musth episodes, the elephant was often chained to manage its aggression. In 2023, Shankar had to be sedated and restrained after he broke a section of enclosure wall, injuring himself and a zookeeper.
In 2024, Shankar again went into musth. He was chained for extended periods between July and September, reportedly causing chain-burn injuries.
After the news broke in October, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) suspended the membership of the Delhi Zoo, citing concerns over Shankar’s treatment.
