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NEW DELHI: Shankar, the only African elephant at the Delhi Zoo, died on Wednesday night. He was 29. According to zoo officials, Shankar showed no sign of illness until September 16. The next morning, he ate fewer leaves and grasses than usual and had mild loose motion, though he consumed fruits and vegetables normally. The veterinary team treated him and kept him under observation. At around 7.25 pm on Wednesday, Shankar suddenly collapsed in his shed. Despite emergency efforts, he died at 8 pm. An inquiry has been ordered to find the exact cause of death. A post-mortem is being conducted by experts from IVRI Bareilly, with officials from the Union Environment Ministry also part of the process. Shankar came to India in November 1998 as a gift from Zimbabwe. For 27 years, he was a major attraction at the zoo. Over the years, he faced recurring health issues linked to musth, a natural condition in bull elephants when testosterone levels rise, leading to unpredictable behaviour. During these phases, he was often chained, and in 2023 and 2024, incidents of injury and prolonged restraint raised concerns about his welfare. In 2024, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) suspended Delhi Zoo’s membership over its handling of Shankar.
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