Chennai: PETA India’s Animatronic Elephant ‘Ellie,’ Voiced by Actor Dia Mirza, Inspires Students at The Grove School
For Immediate Release:
04 December 2025
Contact:
Meenakshi Narang; [email protected]
Minal Shah; [email protected]
Chennai – On Thursday, The Grove School students experienced a unique visit from Ellie, a remarkably lifelike mechanical elephant. Voiced by actor Dia Mirza, Ellie was part of an empathy-building tour by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) that is now in Chennai. Ellie charmed hundreds of the school’s students, mimicking the movements of a real elephant by blinking her eyes and flapping her ears. She narrated an age-appropriate story detailing her traumatic separation from her mother as a baby, the abuse she suffered in a circus, and her eventual rescue and joyful life at a sanctuary.
Photos and videos of Ellie from the launch event are available upon request.
“Ellie’s visit proved to be an inspiring and educational experience for our students. They were deeply engaged by her realistic presence and the vital message of kindness she brings,” says Dr. Nanditha Krishna, Chairperson of The Grove School. “Through this initiative by PETA India, students have gained a clear understanding that elephants belong in their natural habitats—not in captivity. Ellie’s presence has encouraged thoughtful discussions on compassion and respect for all living beings.”
Ms S M Sujatha, Principal, added, “PETA India’s Ellie beautifully conveys that elephants are intelligent and emotional beings who deserve freedom and dignity. Her presence at our school has helped nurture empathy in our students and encouraged them to think deeply about our treatment of animals. We’re proud to support this compassionate and educational effort, and we thank team PETA India for bringing Ellie to our school.”
“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,” says Meenakshi Narang, Manager of Elementary Education at PETA India. “Through this initiative, PETA India urges families to choose activities that are animal-friendly and do not exploit elephants or other sentient beings. By nurturing empathy and respect for animals, we can build a kinder and more compassionate world for all.”
Captive elephants used for entertainment are often separated from their families and natural habitats. They endure harsh training methods and are controlled with ankuses—heavy batons tipped with sharp steel points—which instill fear and pain. Over time, many elephants exhibit abnormal behaviours due to prolonged confinement and are frequently deprived of adequate food, water, and veterinary care.
Since May 2023, Ellie has reached over 220,000 young learners across India at various private, public, international, and government schools, sharing the message that elephants should not be used in circuses, for rides, or in other cruel events. She’ll now be visiting thousands of students at The Shri Ram Universal School, Olive Public School, APL Global School, Chennai Public School, CPS Global School, Shraddha Children’s Academy, Sangford School, Little Millennium and Orchids International School.
PETA India also runs a free humane education programme, Compassionate Citizen, designed to help school students aged 8 to 12 years better understand and appreciate animals. It has been used by over 2 lakh schools and reached approximately 9.3 crore children across India.
PETA India – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment” – opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETAIndia.com or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
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