A viral photoshoot featuring a bright pink elephant in Jaipur has ignited online outrage over animal welfare. Chanchal, the 65-year-old elephant, was painted pink in November 2025, for a Russian photographer’s photoshoot inspired by the city’s iconic hue. Shared widely, the images drew backlash questioning the ethics of using animals in art.
Chanchal died in February 2026. Owner Sadik Khan insists no link exists between the animal’s death and the photoshoot and that it only lasted just 10 minutes where organic Holi gulal was used and washed off immediately. “Elephants are painted for festivals; we care for them across generations,” said Hathi Gaon president Ballu Khan.
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PETA India disagrees, with VP Khushboo Gupta calling it a “state of emergency” for captive elephants chained and distressed. She urges replacing them with robot alternatives.
(This story has been published from a syndicated feed)
