After 2 decades of wait, Delhi zoo's lonely African elephant to get two companions

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Last Updated12/10/2024

For over a decade, the lone male African elephant in Delhi’s National Zoological Park stayed that way, spending long days in strict isolation in a special enclosure.

For over a decade, Shankar, the lone African elephant at Delhi’s National Zoological Park, has lived in isolation. After losing his companion, Vimbai, in 2001, Shankar has remained alone, separated from the zoo’s two Asian elephants to maintain species purity.
This isolation is likely to change, as the zoo prepares to bring two female elephants from Botswana and Zimbabwe as companions for Shankar.

Shankar, a diplomatic gift from Zimbabwe in 1996, was moved to Delhi in 1998 along with Vimbai. However, when Vimbai passed away, Shankar’s social interactions were reduced to viewing the two Asian elephants from a distance.
Due to his aggression during adolescence, Shankar was placed in a special enclosure. While he was not kept in complete isolation, his lack of a compatible companion has been a cause for concern.

The decision to introduce companions for Shankar follows the suspension of Delhi zoo’s membership in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
WAZA raised concerns after Shankar suffered stress and a chain burn injury during his musth period, a biological condition where male elephants become aggressive due to a spike in testosterone.
The zoo’s handling of Shankar’s musth led to criticisms regarding his treatment, which prompted authorities to tranquilize the elephant to manage his behavior.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has issued guidelines recommending that zoos avoid keeping animals in isolation for more than six months. Elephants are social animals, and isolation can lead to psychological distress.
With the expected arrival of the female elephants, Shankar’s well-being is anticipated to improve, helping him form a social group that can reduce his stress levels.

While zoo authorities are optimistic about reducing Shankar’s stress, some experts argue that merely introducing companions might not be sufficient to mitigate his aggressive behavior during musth.
Musth is a natural phase for bull elephants, and handling it in captivity poses significant challenges. Experts like David Abraham and Suparna Ganguly emphasize the difficulty in meeting the biological needs of elephants in captivity, particularly during musth, which is meant for male-to-male dominance in the wild.

The zoo is working on obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, setting up quarantine facilities, and preparing for the elephants’ transportation from Africa. Experts from South Africa and Gujarat’s Vantara animal shelter are also involved in ensuring Shankar’s welfare.
Despite the efforts to introduce new companions, the debate over the ethics of keeping elephants in captivity continues, with experts urging zoos to reconsider how they manage elephants’ natural behaviors.
The arrival of the female elephants represents a critical step in improving Shankar’s quality of life, but it also raises important questions about the challenges of maintaining elephants in captivity and ensuring their physical and emotional well-being.