Thu Dec 04 11:39:53 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

Summary:

PETA India brought a life-sized, animatronic elephant named Ellie to The Grove School in Chennai to educate children about the cruelty elephants face in circuses and other exploitative situations. Ellie’s visit, part of a larger empathy-building tour, aims to foster compassion and respect for animals among students. The animatronic elephant will visit over eight schools in Chennai before heading to Nashik.

News Article:

Animatronic Elephant “Ellie” Visits Chennai Schools to Promote Animal Empathy

CHENNAI, December 4, 2025 – Students at The Grove School in Alwarpet were treated to a unique educational experience today with the arrival of “Ellie,” a six-foot-tall animatronic elephant from PETA India. The remarkably lifelike elephant, complete with a moving head, trunk, and blinking eyes, is part of a nationwide tour aimed at teaching children about the hardships faced by elephants used in circuses and other forms of entertainment.

The event, organized by PETA India in collaboration with The Grove School, saw over 30 students marvel at Ellie’s realistic movements and learn about her fictional backstory as a circus elephant separated from her mother.

“Ellie’s presence will encourage thoughtful discussions on compassion and respect for all living beings,” said Nanditha Krishna, chairperson of The Grove School, during the unveiling.

According to PETA India’s manager of Elementary Education, Meenakshi Narang, the aim is to help children understand that “animals experience emotions—pain, fear, joy, and love—just as humans do, and that they deserve to live freely and peacefully.”

School principal S.M. Sujatha added that the experience would “foster empathy” and have a great impact on students in building compassion towards animals.

Ellie will remain in Chennai until December 19, visiting more than eight schools across the city before continuing its tour to Nashik. Since its launch in May 2023, the animatronic elephant has visited seven cities, promoting the message that elephants should not be subjected to cruel practices like circuses and rides.

The initiative hopes to instill a greater sense of compassion and respect for animals in the next generation.

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