UPDATE: We are heartbroken to report that Indu, the Asian elephant who resided at the Phoenix Zoo, was killed yesterday. This heartbreaking event unfolded just days after In Defense of Animals and World Animal News urged the zoo to relocate Indu to an accredited sanctuary, where she could have lived out her remaining years in peace.
Prompted by an anonymous tip about the zoo’s intent to euthanize Indu, In Defense of Animals immediately contacted the zoo. They demanded transparency and pleaded for Indu’s transfer to a sanctuary. Sadly, their appeals were ignored. The zoo chose death over compassion, leading to Indu’s untimely death.
Less than a month before Indu’s death, the Phoenix Zoo shared a video of Indu enjoying a splash in shallow water, appearing active and engaged. The zoo praised her for knowing how to cool off, and weeks earlier, they had stated that Indu was “doing quite well” and expressed it was “excited to watch her continue to live out her years at the Phoenix Zoo.” Despite having the chance to grant her a peaceful retirement at a sanctuary, the zoo let this opportunity slip away, ultimately failing her.
This incident underscores the importance of our ongoing fight for the welfare of innocent animals suffering in captivity.
Rest in Heaven, Indu.
May 5th – According to In Defense of Animals, a deeply disturbing report has surfaced that the Phoenix Zoo is expected to kill Indu, its solitary 59-year-old Asian elephant, and then cut her body in half in order to remove her from the facility.
“We are horrified by the Phoenix Zoo’s plan to kill Indu and desecrate her body for disposal,” said Fleur Dawes, Communications Director at In Defense of Animals. “Indu has endured decades of isolation and confinement. She deserves the chance to retire in peace — not be executed in secrecy and discarded like trash.”
Stolen from the wild in 1965 when she was only one year old, Indu has spent her life in captivity at various zoos throughout the U.S. For the last 26 years, she has been at the Phoenix Zoo. Now, Indu has been solitary since Reba and Sheena died years ago, confined to a small, barren exhibit with no deep pool and inadequate shade from Arizona’s brutal heat
Earlier this year, the Phoenix Zoo was ranked No. 10 on In Defense of Animals’ 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America. The zoo has continually failed to provide Indu with the space, stimulation, and social companionship that she desperately needs to thrive.
On April 12, 2025, passionate protestors rallied at the Phoenix Zoo to encourage the zoo to retire Indu, delivering a letter signed more than 22,000 people urging the Phoenix Zoo to send Indu to a sanctuary. Following its most recent placement on the 10 Worst Zoos list in January, the zoo announced plans to close its elephant exhibit once Indu dies, but has refused to allow her a chance to live free in a sanctuary while she is still alive.
“The Phoenix Zoo should not wait for Indu to die — or worse, actively kill her. Sanctuary should be considered as a humane alternative,” said Courtney Scott, Elephant Consultant for In Defense of Animals. “She still has time to experience the joy of walking on grass, bathing in deep water, and forming bonds with other elephants. Indu’s life matters, and we must give her the dignity she has been denied for far too long.”
In Defense of Animals is urgently calling on the Phoenix Zoo to immediately halt any plans to kill Indu and instead do the right thing by transferring her to a reputable sanctuary.
TAKE ACTION!
Make a call. Please contact Bert Castro, President and CEO of the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo, by calling (602) 286-3800 and pressing #8 to reach him. If inquired about the purpose of your call, mention ‘elephants.’ Upon connection, you might encounter a detailed update on Indu’s well-being at the zoo. After the explanation, leave your message when prompted by the beep.
When you call, you can say:
Hi, my name is [name]. I’m calling to request urgent action for lonely elephant Indu. Please send her to a sanctuary now, to prevent a fate like Sheena and Reba’s. Additionally, I urge you to provide Indu with a deep shade structure and water misters immediately to keep her cool during the broiling Phoenix summers.
2. Take Your Message to Social Media. Send a message to the Phoenix Zoo on Facebook and Twitter.
You can say:
Please take immediate action to relocate the solitary elephant Indu to a sanctuary to prevent her from suffering the same fate as Reba and Sheena. It is crucial to provide her with a well-shaded structure and water misters right away.
3. Send a Letter. Send a message to Bert Castro, President and CEO of the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo, by completing the form on this page. Please consider personalizing your message with a note.
Sign IDA’s petition to immediately deliver your comment to Bert Castro, the President and CEO of the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo, HERE!
Content courtesy of In Defense of Animals. Help them continue fighting for animals, people, and the environment by making a donation HERE!
