PETA brings ‘talking’ elephant Ellie to Chennai school to raise awareness on animal cruelty

Over 30 children of The Grove School, Alwarpet, watched in amazement as a spectacle unfolded before them: a six-foot-tall, lifelike elephant moving its head from side to side, raising its trunk, and blinking at them.

The animatronic, ‘talking’ elephant Ellie is part of an empathy-building tour by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. She has now come to Chennai and visited the school on Thursday (December 4, 2025). The initiative aims to educate children about the cruelty faced by elephants, using the mechanical jumbo.

Unveiling the elephant – made of fibre and with a silicone trunk – at the school, Nanditha Krishna, chairperson of The Grove School, said, “Ellie’s presence will encourage thoughtful discussions on compassion and respect for all living beings. The children will learn about the cruelty faced by elephants.”

Ellie comes with a backstory: she is portrayed as a circus elephant who was separated from her mother at a young age. “We have seen elephants at temples and camps and have known that they were not treated well, but we were not aware of the extent of cruelty they endure. Ellie has helped us understand, deeply, the kinds of hardships they face,” said Ananya, a Class 8 student at the school.

Pointing out that this exercise will foster empathy in children, the principal of the school S.M. Sujatha said that it will have a great impact on students in building compassion towards animals.

“Children naturally gravitate towards animals. Ellie, the animatronic elephant, helps children appreciate that animals experience emotions — pain, fear, joy, and love — just as humans do, and that they deserve to live freely and peacefully,” said Meenakshi Narang, manager of Elementary Education at PETA India.

Since May 2023, Ellie has visited seven cities, spreading the message that elephants should not be used in circuses, rides, or other cruel practices. The lifelike elephant will remain in Chennai until December 19, visiting more than eight schools across the city, after which she will head to Nashik.