UPDATE #11: Today, Nov 22, 2021, an article (linked here) has been published in one of India’s leading newspapers, The Indian Express, about Shankar’s plight in the Delhi Zoo. We are pleased to see that our petition, signed and supported by thousands of animal lovers, and pressure from other NGOs and activists, has moved the zoo to start thinking about Shankar’s condition and possibilities for his future.

The article has several quotes from the zoo authorities. While we applaud their effort to consider Shankar’s rehabilitation, there are several aspects we do not agree with:

1. Bringing a mate for Shankar : The article mentions the zoo writing to parks in Africa and overseas zoos on the possibility of finding a mate for Shankar and a possible zoo exchange. In our humble opinion, this is an immoral option since it would destroy another life for the sake of one. We strongly urge the zoo to not consider this option and instead be a participant in ending this circle of misery for captive elephants.
2. Shankar under stress: The zoo authorities also talk about Shankar ‘not’ being under any stress. Yet we have video footage linked here, as recent as September 2021, of Shankar displaying stereotypical behaviour, swaying and head-bobbing, and any animal behaviour expert can tell you just by looking at the footage that Shankar is definitely experiencing stress.
3. Solitary nature of male elephants: The zoo authorities are also indicating that male elephants are solitary in nature and alluding that this issue need not be addressed. While this has been a conventionally held view by some, new research is increasingly showing otherwise (see Stanford study linked). In fact Dr. K.K. Sarma, a Padmashree awardee veterinarian wrote in the CZA’s quarterly magazine 2020 that “Elephants are intelligent, emotional, sensitive animals which form strong social bonds. They should never be kept alone; they must have company of their kind”. 
4. Possibility to put Rambo and Shankar together: The zoo authorities mention that it is not possible to put Rambo (in Mysuru Zoo) and Shankar (in Delhi Zoo) together as both are males. However elephant experts will tell you that male elephants often ‘hang out’ together in bachelor groups. Note: We at YFA are absolutely not advocating for Shankar and Rambo to be put together in a “zoo”. However, we feel that they can be housed together in a sanctuary with controlled and gradual socialisation under the supervision of experts. In addition, the zoo mentions that Rambo and Shankar are ‘fairly old’ so they may get stressed with the move. However Rambo is 26 and Shankar 24 and that is not ‘old’ for an elephant (the average life of an African elephant is 60-70 years). After proper acclimatisation by experts such moves are possible if zoos have ‘intent’.

We would sincerely urge the Delhi Zoo and CZA that if they are committed to finding the most optimal solution for Shankar (and Rambo), the only two African elephants in India, they must widen their search option to look for ‘forever homes’ for them. They can write an open letter inviting Indian and international animal welfare organisations and sanctuaries to help find a suitable permanent home for these animals, somewhere with a strong presence of their own kind - African elephants. Meanwhile, we are very grateful to Wildlife SOS who are open to offering rescue and relief to Shankar. 

The two African elephants, Shankar and Rambo, are guests of India and it should be our duty to find the ‘optimal’ solution for them while keeping conservation and humane goals in mind.