Shankar Campaign
#FreeShankarDelhiZoo
Help free Shankar from decades of solitary confinement in the Delhi Zoo
Petition addressed to-
- Mr. Dharam Deo Rai, Director-National Zoological Park (NZP), New Delhi
- Shri Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Chairman Central Zoo Authority (CZA)
- Shri Narender Modi, Prime Minister of India ; Chairman, National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
- Dr. O.P. Chaudhary, Chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India
- Shri Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi
Who is Shankar?
In 1998, a 26 month-old male African elephant was presented as a diplomatic gift by Zimbabwe to India. He was named ‘Shankar’ after India’s 9th President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. Shankar, now over 26 years old, has lived his entire life in the Delhi zoo (National Zoological Park, NZP). Since 2001 when his sole companion Vambai passed away, Shankar has lived in solitary confinement.
Shankar’s Physical and Mental Condition
Shankar is chained for 17 hours of the day and does not have adequate space to move around when he is let out. Much like humans, elephants are social beings and suffer neurological distress when put in solitary confinement. Shankar constantly demonstrates stereotypical behaviour like swaying and head-bobbing, a key sign of distress (see video) In fact, Shankar’s aggressive behaviour has necessitated the zoo authorities to permanently close the viewing pathway since he could be a danger to visitors. In a response to our RTI in July 2021, the Delhi Zoo confirmed that not only has it made NO effort in the past, it has NO FUTURE PLANS to release Shankar to a sanctuary or any other location where he can have the companionship of other African elephants. This just fills us with sadness and despair for Shankar who is clearly in duress. If Shankar’s solitary captivity does not end immediately, he will meet the same fate as Vambai who died in the zoo.
Our Demand
We need the Delhi Zoo (NZP) to transfer Shankar to be released to a wildlife refuge or sanctuary where there are ample African elephants. The NZP director has a unique opportunity to set an example to every other zoo in India and to the world so that not only Shankar but all other captive elephants can have a better future.
Steps undertaken by YFA
- Letter sent to Delhi Zoo on October 4, 2021. Read here
- Letter sent to Prime Minister’s Office on November 16, 2021. Read here
- Having received no response, we filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court that was heard on January 3, 2022. The Hon’ble High Court admitted our case and also directed the Respondents to consider our representation.
- Our court hearing took place on July 6, 2022 (Read update here). The court ordered Delhi Zoo, CZA and AWBI to conduct an inspection of Shankar and his living conditions by the next court hearing fixed for August 31, 2022.
- On August 31, 2022 the Delhi zoo was yet to file the inspection report in the court and hence the new court date of September 20, 2022 was set.
- In the September 20, 2022 hearing, the CZA and AWBI had not added their inspection report on an affidavit hence the court gave them 2 weeks to do so and 2 weeks to us to file a response.
We really hope you will join hands with us to help Shankar earn his freedom and have a chance to live a normal elephant life with his own kind. Please sign our petition and share it widely.
Thanks and regards
Nikita Dhawan and Nandika Karunakaram
(On Behalf of Youth For Animals)
Shankar Campaign in the News
ABC News’ James Longman reports on the efforts of 16-year-old Nikita Dhawan to draw attention to the plight of a 26-year-old African elephant and to relocate him back to Africa February 10, 2022
TOP INTERNATIONAL & DOMESTIC COVERAGE
Our Supporters
ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS
Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO) is India’s apex animal rights organisation with most comprehensive NGO-network of animal rights workers, activists, supporters, advocates, campaigners for the rights of animals in India FIAPO works with over 170+ member organizations and over 1000 activists in more than 70 cities across India.
FIAPO has supported Youth for Animal’s campaign by sending strong letters backed with legal references to the Delhi Zoo, Ministry of Environment and Prime Minister’s Office on October 28, 2021. // READ LETTER 1, LETTER 2
Pro Elephant Network (PREN) is an alliance of elephant experts, elephant behavioural specialists and elephant interest groups. The goal of this alliance is to facilitate a strong social movement that advocates and litigates locally within Africa and globally, to reverse the culture of imprisonment, captive breeding, capture, abuse, exhibition, management, handling, forced interaction, trading and hunting and any exploitation of African elephants (now extended to Asian elephants as well).
PREN has supported Youth for Animal’s campaign by sending a science-backed strong letter of concern to the Delhi Zoo on October 28, 2021 // READ THE LETTER
Elephant Specialists Alliance International (ESAI) is a global alliance of elephant specialists who represents a range of disciplines, including natural science, conservation, behaviours and psychology, veterinary medicine, animal welfare, academia, and animal care and management. Together, they work to provide the best possible fact-based information and scientific evidence to protect wild elephants from capture and export to ex-situ destinations and to end the exploitation of elephants in captivity.
ESAI has supported Youth for Animal’s campaign by working on and sharing a comprehensive document that builds a scientific, research based case for Shankar’s rehabilitation // READ THE LETTER
World Animal Protection is an international non-profit animal rights organization that has been in operation since 1981. The charity describes its vision as: A world where animal rights matter and animal cruelty has ended.
WAP India has provided Youth for Animals a letter of support for the Shankar Campaign.
Elsa Foundation is a Bengaluru based non-profit charitable trust that focuses on conservation of biodiversity, prevention of cruelty to animals, animal rights issues of both domestic and wild animals. It opposes keeping wild animals in captivity. Their work areas are research, advocacy, awareness, publication, support in policy and decision making.
Elsa foundation has provided Youth for Animals a letter of support // READ THE LETTER
Voice for Asian Elephants Society (VFAES) is a 501(c)(3) organization with a vision to protect endangered Asian elephants and their habitats in India, while also ensuring that native people and those living near the forest fringes have their basic needs met, so they will be inspired to coexist peacefully with these magnificent animals.
VFAES founder Ms. Sangita Iyer, has supported Youth for Animal’s campaign by sending a strong and science-backed letter of concern to the Delhi Zoo on November 25, 2021 // READ THE LETTER
Blue Cross of India is an animal welfare charity based in Chennai, India. It was established in 1959 by Captain V. Sundaram and his family. It is now one of the country’s largest animal welfare organisations. It runs several animal welfare programs including animal rights awareness. The organisation has received several national and international awards.
Blue Cross of India has supported Youth for Animal’s campaign by sending a letter of concern to the Delhi Zoo on December 2, 2021 // READ THE LETTER
CELEBRITIES
John Abraham, Bollywood actor, is well known as not only a great actor but also a human being with a heart of gold, especially when it comes to empathy and love for animals. This is evident from the very few people/organizations he follows on twitter, most of which are animal related. He has been such a solid supporter for our campaign, following, liking and sharing our posts almost daily. Moreover his fans have been truly phenomenal in raising a voice for Shankar. They have gone out of the way to create blogposts and artwork for Shankar and have really helped spread the word about Shankar’s plight. We are so thankful to the JA family that has adopted us and our voiceless Shankar as part of theirs.
How we started the campaign
Awareness Campaigns
#LightforShankar
Diwali is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in India by lighting of diyas/candles as a symbol of hope amid darkness. In order to bring hope for into Shankar’s life, many supporters came forward and lit a diya/candle with a video message. Some of the video messages have been compiled in the video on the left. Other messages can be seen on our Diwali Wall for Shankar.
#ArtforShankar
Several of our team members, volunteer and supporters express their anguish for Shankar through Art Activism. Empathetic emotions in the form of drawings, paintings, poems etc. have been shared and are compiled here.
Petition Updates
UPDATE 1, 10 October, 2021
Case of Kaavan – release of the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ from a zoo to a sanctuary
UPDATE 2, 12 October, 2021
Shankar’s plight gets detailed coverage in The Patriot
UPDATE #3, 14 October, 2021
Say NO to a ‘zoo exchange’ to bring a mate for Shankar // He NEEDS a sanctuary to heal
UPDATE #4, 16 October, 2021
In a world where you can be anything BE NICE – Be Nice to Animals! John Abraham tweets for Shankar!
UPDATE #5, 27 October, 2021
Shankar’s new ‘Bollywood friends’!
UPDATE #6, 30 October, 2021
Pro Elephant Network (PREN) writes to Delhi Zoo in support of YFA’s petition
UPDATE #7, 4 November, 2021
Let’s light a diya/candle of hope for Shankar
UPDATE #8, 9 November, 2021
FIAPO sends letters to Delhi Zoo, MoEFCC and PMO regarding Shankar’s rehabilitation
UPDATE #9, 16 November, 2021
Elephant Specialists Alliance International (ESAI) lends support for Shankar
UPDATE #10, 19 November, 2021
YFA sends a representation/letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
UPDATE #11, 22 November, 2021
YFA’s observations on ‘Indian Express’ coverage of Shankar’s plight in the Delhi Zoo
UPDATE #12, 24 November, 2021
Shankar’s story makes it to the editorial page of The Indian Express
UPDATE #13, 28 November, 2021
Shankar campaign gets support from ELSA Foundation
UPDATE #14, 2 December, 2021
Blue Cross of India sends a letter to the Delhi Zoo in support of Shankar’s release & rehab
UPDATE #15, 8 December, 2021
Voice for Asian Elephants Society (VFAES) sends a letter in support of Shankar to the Delhi Zoo
UPDATE #16, 4 January 2022
YFA’s Legal Petition for Shankar Admitted by Hon’ble Delhi High Court
UPDATE #17, 7 January 2022
Indiatimes coverage of Shankar Petition by Bobins Abraham
UPDATE #18, 10 January 2022
The Times UK – Schoolgirl urges court to let Delhi zoo’s African elephant return home
UPDATE #19, 13 January 2022
Grazie Italy for the strong support for Shankar!
UPDATE #20, 31 January 2022
BBC’s coverage on plea to free Shankar
UPDATE #21, 5 February 2022
Newsweek covers Shankar’s plight
UPDATE #22, 10 February 2022
ABC News airs Shankar’s story!
UPDATE #23, 28 March 2022
Let’s continue to demand Shankar’s release
UPDATE #24, 30 March 2022
YFA Founder presents Shankar Campaign at FIAPO Conference “India for Animals”
UPDATE #25, 10 April 2022
Zoos around the world are realizing the cruelty inflicted on elephants kept in captivity
UPDATE #26, 16 April 2022
Science backs our demand to free Shankar from captivity at the Delhi Zoo
UPDATE #27, 22 April 2022
This #EarthDay we have a simple request! Help ‘unchain’ captive elephants!
UPDATE #28, 26 April 2022
Ricky Gervais is encouraging the public to join him to call for the the end of elephant captivity
UPDATE #29, 30 April, 2022
Want to know more about #FreeShankarDelhiZoo campaign, hear this podcast
UPDATE #30, 4 May, 2022
Born Free animal charity report reveals the terrible suffering of captive elephants
UPDATE #31, 9 May, 2022
The Animal Reader interview: Shankar and his upcoming court hearing
UPDATE #32, 16 May, 2022
Every captive elephant that finds freedom, gives us hope for Shankar!
UPDATE #33, 22 May, 2022
Should zoo elephants have rights?
UPDATE #34, 28 May, 2022
“Captive elephants pose a risk to public safety” – Another reason to keep elephants in the wild!
UPDATE #35, 30 June, 2022
Noises in city zoos are painful even for man. Now think about all the poor zoo animals like Shankar!
UPDATE #36, 7 July, 2022
Update on Shankar’s hearing in Delhi High Court on July 6, 2022
UPDATE #37, 12 July, 2022
A new report by CAWF highlights the plight of zoo elephants
UPDATE #38, 13 July, 2022
Shankar’s case covered in India Today magazine
UPDATE #39, 20 July, 2022
Elephant rehabilitation expert highlights problems faced by captive elephants
UPDATE #40, 30 July, 2022
Elephants suffer brain damage in captivity. Hear the expert!
UPDATE #41, 31 July, 2022
A zoo elephant is nothing but an “Empty Shell” !
UPDATE #42, 12 August, 2022
#WorldElephantDay – The story of Shankar and other elephants in need!
UPDATE #43, 11 September, 2022
Latest video of Shankar confined in the Delhi Zoo
UPDATE #44, 1 October, 2022
Elephants in Zoos – A Legacy of Shame
UPDATE #45, 9 October, 2022
THIS IS SO SAD DELHI ZOO! Condemning more elephants to live in miserable captivity
#FriendsofShankar
Shankar is not alone fighting for his freedom. There are countless other gentle giants around the world sentenced to be in #ZooPrisons for life. For each Zoo prisoner there is also an army of caring animal lovers and activists working selflessly for their freedom. These human care brigades have been a family to Shankar and mentors to us in this campaign. We want to say a big thanks.
Shankar’s many friends are in the same situation as him or sometimes even worst and we would like to appeal to all of you to follow their campaigns and sign petitions to help them as well. These elephants are not faceless. They have names and stories but most importantly hope. Take time to get to know them and we promise you that you will soon be following them all #FreeLucy #FreeHappy #FreeMinnie #FreeBilly #FreeBunka #FreeEly #FreeEkol #FreeAsha #FreeBetty ##FreeCharlie ##FreeMaison ##FreeMali #FreeSandro . Thanks so much.
