New Delhi: The Delhi Zoo is actively exploring options to provide a companion for Shankar, its only African elephant, who has been exhibiting increasingly aggressive behaviour due to a prolonged condition of ‘musth’.
Shankar, a 29-year-old male elephant brought to the National Zoological Park in 1998, has been experiencing elevated levels of testosterone, leading to unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior. The zoo has been working to manage his condition, including reinforcing his enclosure and providing him with veterinary care.
“We are in talks with the forest department to find a suitable companion for Shankar,” said a Delhi zoo official. “The aim is to provide him with a more natural and socially enriching environment.”
Shankar’s aggressive behaviour has posed challenges for the zoo, as it has led to injuries to staff and damage to the enclosure. While his condition has improved with veterinary intervention, he continues to display aggressive tendencies.
The zoo is committed to ensuring Shankar’s well-being and safety. As part of their efforts, they are reinforcing the walls of his enclosure to allow for greater freedom of movement without compromising his safety or that of others.
With PTI inputs
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.