Nashik’s Espalier, The Heritage School, Hosts Asia’s First Empathy Building Animatronic Elephant ‘Ellie’, Voiced by Actor Dia Mirza, Courtesy of PETA India and Upadhyaya Foundation
Espalier, The Heritage 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 in Nashik by PETA India and Upadhyaya Foundation. Ellie charmed hundreds of local 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. The Ellie Media Launch event was attended and inaugurated by Shri Dattatray Karale, Special Inspector General of Police, and Education Officer Shri Prashant Digraskar.
[L-R] Ms Saba Khan, Headmistress, Espalier Pre-Primary School; Mrs Prajakta Joshi, Chairperson, Espalier, The Heritage School; Mr Sachin Usha Vilas Joshi, Education Activist, Espalier, The Heritage School; Shri Dattatray Karale, Special Inspector General of Police, Nashik Police; Meenakshi Narang, Manager of Elementary Education, PETA India; Ms. Ankita Kurya, Principal, Espalier, The Heritage School.
“Ellie’s visit was a truly enlightening experience for our students. They were enchanted by her lifelike presence and the important message of kindness she carries.. Through Ellie, students come to understand that elephants belong in the wild—not in captivity. This initiative has sparked meaningful conversations about kindness and respect for all living beings.” – Mr Sachin Usha Vilas Joshi, Education Activist, Espalier, The Heritage School
“PETA India’s Ellie effectively communicates that elephants are sentient, emotional animals deserving of respect. Her time at our school has helped instill empathy in our students and prompted meaningful reflection on animal welfare. We are honoured to endorse such an impactful educational endeavor and thank team PETA India for arranging Ellie’s visit.” – Mrs Prajakta Joshi, Chairperson of Espalier, The Heritage School
[L-R] Anushka Yadav, Media and Celebrity Projects Assistant, PETA India; Gaurav Mehta, Upadhyaya Foundation; Sonali Mishra, Manager of CSR Fundraising, PETA India; Prakriti Mishra, Upadhyaya Foundation; Meenakshi Narang, Manager of Elementary Education, PETA India; Minal Shah, Education Projects Coordinator PETA India
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 247,000 young learners across India at various private, public, international, and government schools, sharing the message that elephants should not be used in circuses or for rides or other cruel events. She’ll now be visiting thousands of students at Espalier, The Heritage School and The Experimental School, Podar International School – Tapovan, Little Millennium, Diyan Universal School, Horizon Academy, Sindhu Sagar Academy, Delhi Public School, Pethe Vidyalaya, EISN Ebenezer International School, Sagarmal Modi Prathmik Shikshan Mandir, Adarsh Montessori English Medium School and Adarsh Montessori Mandir, Ananad Niketan Marathi Medium School, NMC School no 18 and Maratha High 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.
Educators who would like Ellie to visit their schools can write to Meenakshi Narang at [email protected].
