Ellie: Asia’s First Animatronic Elephant Debuts in Bengaluru

In a major step towards raising awareness about animal welfare, Asia’s first life-sized animatronic elephant, Ellie, was introduced in Bengaluru on February 11, 2025. Created by PETA India and voiced by actor Dia Mirza, Ellie is designed to educate children about the harsh realities of elephant captivity. The initiative aims to instill compassion and empathy among young learners, helping them understand the struggles of animals used in entertainment.

How Does Ellie Teach Compassion Through Technology?

Ellie is not just a static model; she is a hyper-realistic animatronic elephant that moves, blinks her eyes, and flaps her ears, mimicking the behavior of a real elephant. She narrates an interactive story about her separation from her mother, the cruelty she faced in a circus, and her eventual rescue to a sanctuary. By experiencing Ellie’s story, students can better understand why elephants should not be used in circuses, processions, or for rides.

This approach of using technology for education is a fresh and engaging way to make young minds more aware of ethical treatment toward animals. As PETA India continues to expand this initiative, Ellie is expected to become a crucial tool in promoting humane education.

Where Has Ellie Traveled So Far?

Since May 2023, Ellie has already reached over 165,000 children across India. She has visited private, public, and international schools, engaging students with her realistic presence and emotional storytelling. Now, after her official unveiling in Bengaluru, Ellie is set to visit multiple schools in the city, including:

• St. Joseph Indian Primary School
• St. Joseph Indian High School
• Samsidh International School HSR
• One World International School (Whitefield)
• Ujjval World School
• Presidency School (RT Nagar)
• Winmore Academy (Whitefield and Jakkur)
• Samsidh International School Horamavu
• Little Millennium

Through these visits, PETA India hopes to spread awareness about ethical treatment of elephants and discourage practices that involve animal cruelty.

What Is the Future Impact of This Initiative?

PETA India has been actively working to educate children about compassion towards animals. Their Compassionate Citizen program has already reached around 93 million children in over 200,000 schools across the country. Ellie’s arrival in Bengaluru is part of a larger effort to integrate humane education into school curriculums.

Educators who want Ellie to visit their schools can contact PETA India to arrange sessions. This initiative is not only a step forward in animal welfare education but also sets a strong precedent for how technology can be used to inspire kindness in younger generations.

Ellie’s journey is a powerful reminder that storytelling, combined with modern technology, can create a lasting impact in shaping a more compassionate society.

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