Jaipur’s elephant painted pink for controversial influencer video passes away, owner offers clarity
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:15:25 GMT
The controversy over a pink-painted elephant used in a photoshoot near Amber Fort has intensified, with the animal’s owner denying allegations of abuse and officials initiating an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding its death following the controversy.
The elephant, Chanchal, became the centre of a public row after a video showing a model seated atop the animal, both painted pink, went viral on social media. The clip, originally posted in December 2025, by Russian photographer Julia Buruleva, gained traction in recent weeks, coinciding with reports of the elephant’s death.
Mahout Sadik Khan, the owner, rejected claims of mistreatment, stating that the 70-year-old animal died in February due to age-related heart ailments.
