US EditionPhotographer Defends Painting Elephant Bright Pink as Animal Dies Shortly After Photoshoot
Officials say there is no evidence the photoshoot caused Chanchal’s death, while the forest department has begun a preliminary review.
- Thousands of Indians are demanding legal action against Russian photographer Julia Buruleva following reports that Chanchal, a 65-year-old elephant painted for a photoshoot, died in February.
- During a November photoshoot, Buruleva painted the elephant using organic "kaccha gulal," which owner Shadik Khan insists was safe and took only 10 minutes.
- PETA India vice president Khushboo Gupta argued the incident "signals a state of emergency" for captive elephants, though officials have not confirmed a causal link between the shoot and Chanchal's death.
- On Tuesday, Buruleva dismissed the backlash as "misinformation," claiming the elephant died of old age, while forest department officials initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter.
- Activists are calling for stricter enforcement of existing animal welfare laws in India, as the controversy has reignited national debates regarding tourism ethics and regulatory oversight for captive animals.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Authorities have launched an investigation after a barrage of criticism. The artist has defended herself saying the color was natural, while the elephant's owner has said the elephant died of old age.
The "Pink Elephant" controversy, sparked by a photoshoot with an elephant in Jaipur, has now become a major issue. The matter came to light when photos of 65-year-old Chanchal, painted pink, went viral on social media. The photoshoot was conducted by Barcelona-based Russian photographer Julia Buruleva, who claimed it was inspired by Jaipur's "Pink City" identity. The photos also show a model sitting on Chanchal, who is completely painted pink. T…
Jaipur Elephant's Death Two Months Post Photoshoot Fuel India-wide Arrest Demands For Julia Buruleva
The death of a 65-year-old elephant in Jaipur has ignited a nationwide backlash, with thousands demanding legal action against artist Julia Buruleva. Public anger surged across India following reports that the elephant, named Chanchal, died just two months after being used in a photoshoot involving body paint, an incident that had already drawn criticism at the time. The controversy centres on Russian artist Julia Buruleva, whose work at a templ…
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