Life-size mechanical elephant Ellie captivates Delhi students

Anshita Mehra

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New Delhi, January 30

PETA India has made waves in animal welfare education with the introduction of Asia’s first life-size mechanical elephant, Ellie. Today marked a significant chapter as Ellie visited Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School in the National Capital Region, captivating young learners with her engaging and educational presence.

Unique initiative for animal welfare education

• Speaking in English and Hindi, Ellie is voiced by actor Dia Mirza, enhancing her ability to communicate effectively with students
• Ellie provides a unique first-hand perspective on the plight of elephants used in circuses, rides and other cruel spectacles

Speaking both English and Hindi, Ellie is voiced by actor and PETA India supporter Dia Mirza, enhancing her ability to communicate effectively with students.

Aged 12, Ellie provides a unique first-hand perspective on the plight of real elephants subjected to circuses, rides and other cruel spectacles.

Sharing her story, Ellie recounted her life as a circus performer, revealing the painful separation from her mother as a baby and the physical abuse endured daily. Rescued by PETA India, she now resides in an animal sanctuary, symbolising 21 female and eight male elephants that were rescued by PETA.

PETA India’s senior education coordinator, Meenakshi Narang, shed light on Ellie’s significance, saying: “Ellie was a circus elephant whom we had rescued. She represents all the elephants we have rescued from circuses — 21 females and eight males. We want to share their story with learners to cultivate compassion and empathy not only towards animals but also towards friends and family.”

Ellie captivated the students of Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School as she blinked her eyes, flapped her ears and told her life story. The students also responded positively to Ellie’s visit, with one student expressing a valuable lesson learned about avoiding circuses with animal acts. Another student marvelled at Ellie’s uniqueness, having seen elephants in real life but never encountered something quite like her.

Ellie’s story highlighted the grim reality faced by captive elephants used for entertainment, mirroring the experiences shared by those rescued by PETA India. These elephants are subjected to beatings, chains and insufficient care, leading to physical ailments such as arthritis.