India, March 31 -- A photoshoot by a Russian photographer in Jaipur, featuring an elephant painted bright pink, has sparked widespread online criticism, with many social media users calling it animal abuse and questioning the ethics behind the act.

The elephant, reportedly 70 years old, died last month, further intensifying the controversy after the video resurfaced online.

The shoot was conducted by Russia-based travel photographer Julia Buruleva and featured model Yashasvi.

Ballu Khan, president of the Hathi Gaon committee, told The Daily Jagran that the elephant was coloured using gulal-a powder commonly used during Holi-and that the paint was washed off within 30 minutes.

While officials have reportedly stated that the elephant's ...