UPDATE #9: The Elephant Specialists Alliance International (ESAI) is a global organization composed of distinguished elephant experts dedicated to preserving elephants in their natural ranges. Several of their members are located in Africa and have extensive experience with both wild and captive African elephants.
ESAI has released a letter in support of Shankar's rehabilitation. Read letter here.
In a letter, they have urged the Delhi zoo to seek a solution to this challenging situation, including the possibility of transfer to a place that is more suitable for Shankar, preferably a wildlife refuge or sanctuary. They have elaborated on several reason for their urgent recommendation. The broad reasons include -
- Elephants are highly intelligent and complex animals.
- Elephants naturally live in a variety of landscapes, walking great distances in vast home ranges.
- Social relationships are vital to elephants’ well-being.
- Solitary confinement is harmful to elephants.
- Abnormal repetitive behaviours are an indicator of poor welfare.
The letter offers a wealth of information and is easy to understand for even a layperson. Please do take some time out and read more on how captivity negatively impacts elephants. Thank you ESAI for lending your support to Shankar and YFA.