Mumbai, March 31: A social media controversy has erupted over an artistic photoshoot in Jaipur featuring a 70-year-old elephant painted bright pink. The images, captured by Russian photographer Julia Buruleva in late 2025, have recently gone viral, drawing sharp criticism from animal rights advocates and the general public. While the photographer maintained that the project was a tribute to Rajasthan's culture, the revelation that the elephant, named Chanchal, died just last month has intensified scrutiny of the incident.

Rajasthan forest department officials have announced an investigation into the shoot to determine whether wildlife protection laws were violated. Although local handlers have clarified that Chanchal died of natural causes related to her advanced age, the timing of the viral footage has reignited a global conversation regarding the ethics of using live animals as props in commercial and artistic expeditions. Clara Shinta Exposes Husband Alexander Assad’s Alleged Secret Affair, Shares Screenshots of ‘Indecent’ Video Calls.

Russian Photographer Julia Buruleva With 'Pink' Elephant 

 

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A post shared by Julia Buruleva (@julia.buruleva)

The Vision Behind the 'Pink Elephant'

Photographer Julia Buruleva conducted the shoot in November 2025 at an abandoned Ganesha temple in Jaipur. Inspired by the Pink City’s iconic hue and the elephant's status as a symbol of Rajasthani architecture, Buruleva envisioned a monochromatic aesthetic featuring a model and an elephant in a vivid, solid pink shade.

In her social media posts, Buruleva detailed a six-week preparation process, which included navigating heritage permit restrictions and visiting multiple elephant farms to find collaborators. She defended the project by stating that the team used organic, locally made gulal, the same powder used during the festival of Holi, and insisted the paint was washed off within 30 minutes.

Backlash and Animal Welfare Concerns

Despite the artist’s assurances that the process was safe, the response online has been overwhelmingly critical. Many users accused the photographer of promoting animal abuse for social media engagement, with critics arguing that turning a sentient creature into a pink prop is both ethically and culturally inappropriate.

Animal welfare advocates pointed out that even organic dyes can cause respiratory distress or skin irritation in elephants, whose skin is highly sensitive despite its rugged appearance. Some observers suggested that the photographer should have used digital editing or AI to achieve the visual effect rather than involving a live animal in an unconventional environment.

Female Elephant 'Chanchal' Died in February 2026

Investigation into the viral incident revealed that the elephant, a female named Chanchal, belonged to the Hathi Gaon, also known as Elephant Village. Ballu Khan, president of the Hathi Gaon committee, confirmed that Chanchal died in February 2026. At the time of her death, the elephant was approximately 70 years old, which is considered an advanced age for the species.

While there is currently no direct evidence to suggest that the elephant's death was linked to the photoshoot conducted months earlier, the timing has significantly increased public scrutiny. Officials and local handlers have clarified that her death appears to be due to natural causes, yet the incident has prompted the Rajasthan forest department to investigate whether any negligence occurred during the production.

Broader Implications for Tourism and Art

This incident highlights a growing tension in Jaipur’s tourism and arts sector, where elephants have long been a central attraction. Increasing global sensitivity towards animal rights is putting pressure on local handlers and visiting artists to move away from traditional practices that involve physical modification or performance-based use of elephants. Russian Photographer Julia Buruleva Spark Backlash for Painting Elephant Pink in Jaipur (View Post).

The controversy serves as a reminder to the creative community that creative freedom is increasingly being weighed against the ethical treatment of animals. As the investigation continues, the case may lead to stricter oversight and clearer guidelines for international production houses and photographers operating within India’s heritage sites.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 31, 2026 11:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).