The lonely life and death of Delhi's only African elephant
Published: 9/19/2025

Shankar, Delhi's only African elephant, passed away after a life of isolation at the city's zoo. Despite efforts to rehabilitate him, Shankar endured loneliness for 24 years, with his only companion dying in 2001. The cause of his death is under investigation, with officials mourning the loss of the much-loved elephant who arrived in India as a diplomatic gift from Zimbabwe.



