THE world’s saddest elephant, who has been alone for eight years, has developed depression while stuck in captivity.

Ely, trapped in a Mexico City zoo, has been caught ramming her head into the enclosure that has trapped her for 13 years.

The beautiful elephant was rescued from a circus but her tragic life spiralled into misery after her partner Maggie died in 2016.

Ely also endured a terrifying illness while locked up, igniting a huge campaign to save her.

Campaigners have dubbed the friendless animal “the world’s saddest elephant” and revealed why her case was so tragic.

Diana Valencia, founder of the animal rights group Opening Cages and Opening Minds, said: “It really moved me to see the state that she was in, it tore my soul and I made Ely a promise.”

She told the elephant: “They aren’t going to do the same to you.”

Ely, who is between 43 and 45 years old has lived at the San Juan de Aragon zoo in Mexico for over a decade.

She was transported there in 2012 with a problem with her right leg which affected how she moved around.

Ely was also malnourished after being saved from the sick circus.

But Mexico’s Supreme Court has this week ordered the zoo to work on implementing steps to boost Ely’s health, as reported by CNN.

The court ordered there be “a constant improvement of her health and physical condition.”

This marks the first time the country’s highest court has made such a move in favor of an animal.

While Ms Valencia accepted San Juan de Aragon had bettered Ely’s living conditions, it was only after public demand.

It saw two more elephants were introduced to Ely’s enclosure from 2023 to 2024.

But, zoo director and veterinarian Gabriela Uribe Acosta, said the establishment will do whatever it takes to comply with the court order.

She explained how six members of staff clean how home, which measures 78,000 square feet.

Another six people are in charge of Ely’s health and wellbeing.

The zoo director also blasted assessments claiming the elephant is depressed but instead stable.

She added that Ely seemed to improve after more elephant friends were added to the enclosure – demonstrated with her new vocalisations.

Lawyer Sergio Méndez Silva, litigation coordinator for the local Foundation for Justice, added: “Mexico is taking a significant step with a precedent like this and I believe this will mark a before and after.”

Ms Valencia vowed to continue fighting for all three of the zoo’s elephants to be moved to a sanctuary in Brazil or the United States.

“I can’t be satisfied because an elephant can’t live in captivity, it hurts them mentally,” she said.

“It’s one of the animals that most suffers in captivity.”