PETA India Donates Robotic Elephant to Be Housed at Nehru Zoological Park

On 19 June 2026, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy formally dedicated a lifelike robotic elephant donated by PETA India during an event at Gurramguda Forest Block in Ibrahimpatnam. The robotic elephant will be housed at the Nehru Zoological Park to promote public safety and animal welfare by reducing the reliance on captive elephants for processions, rituals, and film shoots.

The mechanical elephant, gifted to Telangana, is designed to mimic a live animal with realistic movements. It can shake its head, move its ears and eyes, swish its tail, and lift its trunk. To facilitate its use in public events, the robotic elephant is mounted on a wheelbase, allowing it to be moved or driven through the streets safely and with ease.

It can also be climbed upon, and a seat can be affixed to its back. The entire system is operated simply by plugging it into an electricity source. The Telangana Forest Department will manage the robotic elephant, making it available to individuals and organisations that approach the department for various events.

PETA India stated that the initiative aims to protect both people and animals. Elephants kept in captivity are commonly chained, controlled with weapons, and often kept hungry, thirsty, and lonely. This treatment can lead to frustration and dangerous behaviour. According to figures compiled by the Heritage Animal Task Force, captive elephants killed 526 people in Kerala over a 15-year period.

Currently, more than 40 robotic elephants are being used in Hindu and Jain temples across India. PETA India has donated 27 of these in recognition of temples deciding to never own or hire live elephants. In addition to religious rituals, these robotic alternatives are increasingly appearing in advertisements, weddings, circuses, rallies, and film shoots.