Shankar, an African elephant at our Delhi Zoo, has been lonely, and sorrowful since the death of his partner Bombai in 2005.

African elephants are herd animals that are not used to living alone. Shankar cannot be returned to South Africa, as previously stated by Dr. Sonali Ghosh, former director of the zoo, we do not know if he came from the wild or captivity, it is not a practical choice to release him into the wild.

In a recent court session, the authorities mentioned that they would not permit Shankar’s release to South Africa and asked not to worry as they would take good care.

It has been 18 years since he has been alone and more than two years since the public started raising the issue.

The government's efforts to date regarding him have been greatly appreciated and applauded, but the process appears to have
stagnated. Shankar used to be a happy elephant, but he now appears to be in a miserable and stressed situation.

Recently Shankar was found getting aggressive, necessitating medical intervention to prevent it from harming itself.

As a young kid, I myself have been attached to the poor elephant but in the present situation, I even support returning him back, if that is what can bring his happy days back. 

Shankar does not deserve what he has been going through and what aggressive emotions he is going through presently because of loneliness.

Newspaper article covering latest incident of Shankar