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Shankar (elephant): Difference between revisions
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In 1998, an [[elephant]] aged 2 was captured in Africa and presented as a diplomatic gift to the Minister of State for Environment & Forests, Shri Babu Lal Marandi in India by the High Commissioner of Zimbabwe. Shri Babu Lal Marandi named the young elephant "Shankar". | In 1998, an [[elephant]] aged 2 was captured in Africa and presented as a diplomatic gift to the Minister of State for Environment & Forests, Shri Babu Lal Marandi in India by the High Commissioner of Zimbabwe. Shri Babu Lal Marandi named the young elephant "Shankar". | ||
Shankar is chained for 17 hours of the day and does not have adequate space to move around when he is let out. He constantly demonstrates stereotypical behaviour like swaying and head-bobbing, a key sign of distress. His aggressive behaviour has necessitated the zoo authorities to permanently close the viewing pathway since he could be a danger to visitors.<ref>[https://youthforanimals.org/?page_id=1260&playlist=394d7e6&video=e07394a Help free Shankar from decades of solitary confinement in the Delhi Zoo] Youth For Animals</ref> | Shankar is chained for 17 hours of the day and does not have adequate space to move around when he is let out. He constantly demonstrates stereotypical behaviour like swaying and head-bobbing, a key sign of distress. His aggressive behaviour has necessitated the zoo authorities to permanently close the viewing pathway since he could be a danger to visitors.<ref>[https://youthforanimals.org/?page_id=1260&playlist=394d7e6&video=e07394a Help free Shankar from decades of solitary confinement in the Delhi Zoo] Youth For Animals</ref> | ||
Shankar exhibits aggressive behavior during his “musth” phase, which is a period of heightened sexual activity and hormonal changes in male elephants. During this phase, he has tried to break the walls of his enclosure and hurt his mahout. He has also shown signs of stress and frustration, such as striking his head against the wall and attempting to escape. The zoo authorities have medicated him to control his testosterone levels and chained him to prevent him from harming himself or others. This phase usually lasts for a few months every year.<ref>[https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/shankar-delhi-zoos-lonely-african-elephant-turns-aggressive-officials-step-in-to-calm-him-down-8952171/lite/ Shankar, Delhi zoo’s lone African elephant, turns aggressive, officials step in to calm him down] The Indian Express [https://web.archive.org/web/2/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/shankar-delhi-zoos-lonely-african-elephant-turns-aggressive-officials-step-in-to-calm-him-down-8952171/lite/ Archived] Sep 24, 2023</ref> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||