How this man became the first person to adopt an elephant at Pune zoo

Indian Express

11-05-2025

For over a decade, the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park (RGZP) in Pune's Katraj has run an animal adoption scheme, allowing individuals, families, and organisations to sponsor animals for varying durations. The collected funds contribute to the animals' food, healthcare, and overall well-being.
While many have supported the scheme, Prasad Suresh Joshi stands out. 'He has been a great asset to the zoo's adoption scheme,' says Rajkumar V Jadhav, Director, RGZP.
Acknowledging his efforts, Jadhav says, 'We hope more people will follow his example. Our aim is to motivate people to adopt animals as a way of sensitising them to wildlife and promoting shared responsibility for animal welfare.'
A spiritual consultant, Joshi first visited the zoo around 2014 to see the animals but ended up adopting one. 'For me, adopting Jaanki, the elephant, felt just like adopting a child,' he says.
Joshi emphasises the importance of the adoption scheme, stating, 'We all have a responsibility to care for the environment, animals, and all living beings. While nature provides for some animals, zoo animals rely on human care. They need to be adopted and looked after, much like a child, which is why the adoption scheme is so essential'.
Pointing out that he became the first to adopt an elephant at Katraj Zoo, he says, 'Adopting an elephant is more expensive than other animals, which is probably why no one had adopted one before me'.
He has even helped another elephant get adopted.
Since then, Joshi has adopted animals on special occasions — snakes during Naag Panchami and tortoises during Kurma Jayanti. 'What began as symbolic adoptions turned into special occasions, like my children's birthdays and more. I have adopted many animals over the years, such as Neelgai (Blue Bull), snakes, tortoises, etc. and encouraged my clients to do the same during their special events.'
Over time, Joshi says he has built a small community of animal lovers who support his efforts and adopt animals alongside him.
(Aarushi Prakash is an intern with The Indian Express.)