Pink Elephant’s Demise in India: Russian Woman’s Dye Job Detailed, Pics Released

Despite assurances from the proprietors that the coloring was harmless, the photo session and the elephant’s demise have ignited inquiries about inhumane treatment of animals.

Chanchal, the celebrated elephant who became the protagonist of impactful photos by Russian artistic photographer Yulia Buruleva, has passed away in the Indian city of Jaipur. Even though the cause of the 65-year-old elephant’s passing was attributed to advanced age, advocates for animal welfare are voicing concerns over the mistreatment of these creatures.

This information comes from The Hindu.

Chanchal, an elephant that had been painted a vibrant pink for a photographic endeavor, is no longer alive. The narrative of the elephant’s utilization for “aesthetic” images has ignited an intense debate on social media platforms. Following this occurrence, animal rights activists have urged for stricter oversight and explicit guidelines governing the employment of animals in business and artistic projects.

The images showcasing the pink elephant initially surfaced in December 2025, disseminated by Russian photographer Buruleva. According to her assertions, the photographs were captured in November of the same year.

Chanchal, who resided in the Hathi Gaon zone of Jaipur (recognized as the “elephant village”), died in February 2026. This announcement was made by the chairman of the local committee, Ballu Khan.

He stated that the paint employed was a powdered pigment referred to as “gulal,” typically employed during Holi festivities and regarded as ecologically benign. The paint was reportedly administered swiftly — predominantly on one flank — and rinsed off within approximately thirty minutes.

Khan additionally pointed out that he and the elephant’s caretakers have been attending to the animals for “the previous five generations.” Due to her considerable age, the 65-year-old Chanchal was no longer engaged for rides at the time of the photo session.

“The shoot lasted around 10 minutes. They applied raw gulal and rinsed it off without delay. It was the identical color utilized during Holi,” Khan explained.

Photoshoot of a Russian woman with an elephant painted pink (5 photos)

According to the data at hand, the elephant succumbed to causes of a natural nature.

DCF Wildlife representative Vijay Pal Singh stated that there is presently no sanctioned inquiry underway concerning the circumstance.

Simultaneously, animal rights advocates underscore that this occurrence has once more directed scrutiny towards the challenging predicament of elephants in captivity within India.

“The report concerning the passing of Chanchal the elephant subsequent to her being painted bright pink for a photoshoot underscores the critical circumstances faced by Indian elephants, who endure physical and mental distress in captivity. Elephants utilized for performances or passenger transport are regularly restrained and governed via implements, precipitating considerable suffering and instigating hazardous scenarios where agitated animals engage in assaults,” remarked Khushbu Gupta, vice president of policy at PETA India, the regional arm of one of the world’s foremost animal welfare organizations.

“PETA India has advocated for a gradual cessation of elephant rides and alternative applications of elephants proximate to Jaipur, substituting the animals with adorned electric vehicles or robotic elephants,” she incorporated.

As a side note, a Spanish visitor instigated a global controversy by disseminating a recording of himself dispensing beer into the trunk of an elephant christened Bupu within Kenya’s Ol Jogi Game Reserve. The recording provoked indignation on social media due to the cruelty perpetrated against the animal and the contravention of safety protocols, as visitors are unequivocally forbidden from nearing elephants. Local authorities have initiated an investigation.