JAIPUR: A controversy erupted after images of an elephant (pachyderm) painted bright pink during a photoshoot in Rajasthan’s Jaipur were widely shared online, sparking criticism and raising concerns over animal welfare. “The pachyderm died last month, her owner has confirmed, while officials said the photo shoot had no connection with her death.” The photos and videos, originally posted in December 2025 by Russian photographer Julia Buruleva, have recently gained traction on social media, drawing mixed reactions. While some users praised the visual appeal of the shoot, others questioned the ethics of using animals in artistic projects. According to the artist’s post, the shoot took place in November 2025 and featured a model, Yashasvi, alongside a female elephant named Chanchal from Jaipur’s Hathi Gaon. Ballu Khan, president of the Hathi Gaon Committee, said the elephant was coloured using “gulal”, a powder commonly used during the Holi festival, and that it was washed off within minutes. He added that Chanchal, aged about 65, died last month. Defending the practice, Khan said his family and others in the area had been caring for elephants for “the past five generations”. “Elephants have been decorated and painted on various festivals as well but with gulal and not any plastic paint,” he said, adding that the animal was painted only on one side for the shoot. Sadik Khan, the elephant’s owner, said the animal was not being used for rides at the time due to her age. “The shoot lasted for about 10 minutes. Raw gulal was applied and washed off immediately. It was the same colour used during Holi,” he said, adding that the elephant died in February. Officials and local handlers said there was no evidence linking the animal’s death to the photoshoot, and that Chanchal is believed to have died due to natural causes associated with old age. However, the timing of the images resurfacing online and news of the elephant’s death has intensified public scrutiny, with calls for stricter oversight of the use of animals in commercial and artistic settings. In a social media post, Buruleva said she had spent six weeks in Jaipur and drew inspiration from the city’s iconic pink colour and cultural imagery. “Elephants are everywhere there — streets, ornaments, architecture. Practically the main symbol of Rajasthan. I just couldn’t pass by without including one,” she wrote. Amid the backlash, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Vijay Pal Singh said there was currently no investigation into the matter and declined further comment. Animal rights activists, however, said the episode highlights broader concerns around the treatment of captive elephants in India. “Elephant Chanchal’s reported death after she was painted bright pink for a photoshoot signals a state of emergency for India’s captive elephants who suffer physically and mentally. Elephants used for rides and other performances are routinely kept chained when not in use and controlled through weapons, conditions that cause intense distress and lead to dangerous incidents when frustrated elephants attack,” said Khushboo Gupta, vice president of policy at PETA India. “PETA India has long recommended phasing out elephant rides and other uses of elephants near Jaipur and elsewhere by replacing them with decorated electric vehicles and robot elephants,” she added.
