Outrage is mounting after a beloved elderly elephant died just months after being painted bright pink for a photoshoot in Jaipur, with critics accusing those involved of cruelty, while others insist the animal’s death may have been natural.
Chanchal, a 65 to 70-year-old elephant described by her owners as gentle and aging, became the center of a social media storm after footage emerged showing her completely coated in vivid pink pigment as part of a “Pink City” themed art project.
The photoshoot, which took place in November 2025 at an abandoned temple on the outskirts of Jaipur, was orchestrated by Russian photographer Julia Buruleva. The images featured a model posed atop the strikingly painted animal, a scene intended to celebrate Jaipur’s famous nickname, but what was meant to be artistic has since turned deeply controversial.
Buruleva has defended the shoot, claiming she used organic Holi powders, traditional festival pigments widely considered safe for human use, however animal welfare advocates are not convinced. Experts warn that even so-called “natural” dyes can contain harmful compounds, especially when applied in large quantities or absorbed through sensitive skin, and elephants in particular have porous skin that can react unpredictably to chemicals. One wildlife expert noted there is a real risk of toxicity, adding that even organic pigments can include contaminants that may lead to poisoning.
Chanchal died in February 2026, just a few months after the photoshoot, prompting an avalanche of accusations online linking the incident to her death. Her owners confirmed her age, emphasizing that she was already elderly and may have died of natural causes, yet troubling questions remain over whether the stress of being coated head to toe in dye and used in a staged shoot could have accelerated her decline, or whether the pigments themselves played a role, with experts saying both possibilities cannot be ruled out.
Locals in Jaipur have voiced anger, with many accusing the photographer of exploiting the animal for aesthetic gain, while animal rights groups have called for stricter regulations around the use of animals in photoshoots and tourism. One activist said the incident was not art but exploitation, arguing that an old elephant had been turned into a prop.
The now viral video shows Chanchal standing quietly, her massive body transformed into an unnatural shade of pink, as the model interacts with her against the backdrop of a crumbling temple, a scene that may once have appeared surreal and captivating but now, in the wake of her death, has taken on a far darker tone. Whether Chanchal’s death was simply due to old age or something more troubling, the incident has reignited a fierce debate about the ethical treatment of animals, and the hidden cost of chasing the perfect image.
