Trapped in her concrete prison for 66 YEARS: The heartbreaking tale of Hanako the elephant who has spent a lifetime alone in a Japanese zoo

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Devoid of any greenery and confined to a concrete enclosure all alone for 66 years of her life, this is the sad tale of Hanako, the oldest elephant in Japan.

She may have turned 68, but Hanako won't have felt like celebrating, more than likely wishing she could indeed forget.

For the animal has spent more than half a century living a solitary existence inside four concrete walls at Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo, Japan.

A petition has been set up in the hope of removing Hanako from Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo, Japan

The elephant is pictured here behind bars as it tries to reach the food, and right, walking around the enclosure

This video shows the depressing nature of the animal's living quarters. The elephant trudges from one concrete wall to the next, along with some loose rope tied around it. 

A petition has been set up in the hope that enough money to move Hanako to an elephant sanctuary where it can 'live out her last days in the comfort she deserves.'

On her blog, one visitor to the zoo, Ulara Nakagawa, described it as 'one of the cruellest, most archaic zoos in the modern world.' 

Hanako was transported in 1949 from Thailand to Japan when she was just two-years-old, to what the petition has said 'would become her life-long prison.'

One visitor to the zoo, Ulara Nakagawa, described it as 'one of the cruellest, most archaic zoos in the modern world.'

The elephant is believed to suffer from digestive difficulties and is troubled by constipation, as well as having lost most of its teeth

It is believed the elephant needs to be given medical assistance, with the Japan Times reporting that she lost all but one of her four teeth around 30 years ago and as a result 'she suffers digestive difficulties and is troubled by constipation.' 

The organisers of the petition hope to provide a new, enriched enclosure where she can interact with other elephants.

Hanako was transported in 1949 from Thailand to Japan when she was just two-years-old, and has been playing up for the crowds ever since at the Japanese zoo

Hanako trundles around her concrete enclosure in Japan, with no other elephants to share fun times with

Nakagawa added: 'Totally alone in a small, barren, cement enclosure with absolutely no comfort or stimulation provided, she just stood there almost lifeless — like a figurine.

'There was absolutely nothing else for her to do. It was beyond painful to take in.' 

The petition so far has 46,877 supporters, with a target of 50,000 to then be presented to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.  

One visitor to the zoo described how the elephant 'just stood there almost lifeless — like a figurine'

Elisa Allen, associate director at PETA told MailOnline: In nature, female elephants spend their lives with other members of their herd, but at Japan's Ueno Zoo, Hanako is kept in solitary confinement in a small barren concrete dungeon. 

'She is denied the opportunity to feel grass beneath her feet, the company of other elephants and even the chance to see anything but a grey wall. 

'Hanako has already been imprisoned for six long decades. Japanese authorities must get with the times and shut down this elephant exhibit immediately and send Hanako to a reputable sanctuary where she can live out her remaining years in the company of other elephants.' 

MailOnline has attempted to contact Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo, Japan for comment.