An elephant named Chanchal, who was made to carry a model while covered in pink powder for a commercial photoshoot, has died in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, reigniting concerns over the exploitation of working elephants.
Chanchal, a 67-year-old female elephant, was being used to give tourist rides in Jaipur when she was covered in pink gulal and forced to carry a model during a photoshoot near an abandoned temple in November 2025. The images attracted little attention at first, but resurfaced in February 2026, when photographer Julia Buruleva shared them on social media, prompting widespread criticism from animal rights activists and members of the public.
Several months later, Chanchal died. According to officials cited by an Instagram page under the name Bored Panda, she suffered cardiac arrest linked to old age, and authorities said there was no evidence that the coloured powder had directly caused her death.
Nonetheless, the case has continued to fuel debate over the treatment of elderly Nonhuman Animals still forced into commercial work. Critics have pointed out that, despite her advanced age, Chanchal was still being used for tourist rides and was made to take part in a photoshoot while carrying a model, raising serious questions about the conditions under which ageing captive elephants continue to be exploited for profit.
PETA India wrote to Buruleva following Chanchal’s death, urging her to withdraw the commercial print of the shoot from sale or to donate its proceeds towards elephant conservation projects. Buruleva has reportedly been selling the print for up to Rs 3 lakh (£360). Dr Mini Aravindan, Senior Director of Veterinary Affairs for PETA India, said, “It is not possible to wholly rule out the health impacts of the paint. The paint was near the elephant’s eyes, ears, trunk, mouth, and genitals. Coating an elephant’s skin — especially around sensitive areas, can pose risks, especially for animals in vulnerable health, including irritation, ingestion during grooming/feeding, stress, and aggravation of pre‑existing conditions, even when products are marketed as ‘safe’.”
