Jaipur: The incident surrounding a viral elephant photoshoot has taken a new turn after reports confirmed that the Jaipur Pink Elephant Dies due to natural causes, even as controversy over the shoot continues to intensify across social media and among animal rights activists.
The Jaipur Pink Elephant Dies story gained attention after images of a pink-painted elephant went viral online. The photos were captured by foreign art photographer Julia Buruleva and shared on social media on February 18, triggering outrage and accusations of animal cruelty.
Outrage Grows Over Viral Photoshoot
Animal lovers and activists strongly criticised the act, calling it unethical and harmful. Actress and PETA supporter Rupali Ganguly also raised concerns, reportedly writing to the Prime Minister demanding a ban on elephant rides in India.
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As the Jaipur Pink Elephant Dies case unfolded, activists held the photographer, the elephant’s owner, and local authorities responsible, demanding strict action and better enforcement of animal welfare laws.
Death Sparks Speculation
The controversy escalated when news broke that the elephant featured in the shoot, Chanchal, had died in February. This led many to connect the incident with the viral photos, further amplifying the Jaipur Pink Elephant Dies debate.
However, local officials have dismissed such claims. Elephant Village Committee President Ballu Khan clarified that the photoshoot took place nearly a year ago and described the allegations as baseless. He stated that Chanchal, aged around 65–70 years, was painted using gulal during the shoot and the colour was removed within a short time.
Postmortem Confirms Natural Cause
According to a report reviewed , Chanchal died on February 4, 2026, at 3:30 PM at the age of 67. The postmortem confirmed that the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to old age.
A doctor involved in the examination stated that the elephant died of cardio-respiratory failure and that her death was entirely natural, unrelated to the photoshoot. This clarification adds important context to the Jaipur Pink Elephant Dies case.
Photographer Issues Clarification
Amid the backlash, Julia Buruleva shared a clarification on Instagram, explaining the concept behind the shoot and posting behind-the-scenes footage. She stated that organic, locally made colours—similar to those used during festivals—were used and were safe for the animal.
Despite the explanation, the Jaipur Pink Elephant Dies controversy continues to divide opinion, with many still questioning the ethics of using animals in such creative projects.
Investigation Underway
Following the widespread outrage, the forest department has launched an investigation to determine whether any rules were violated during the shoot.
As the probe continues, the Jaipur Pink Elephant Dies case remains at the center of a broader debate on animal rights, ethical treatment, and the responsibilities of artists and authorities.