This is an amazing video of an elephant painting an elephant holding a flower.
Many people believe the film is a fake because there are many cuts editing out portions of the presentation. I don’t know if the painting part is fake, but I have to wonder if the elephant was trained or being prompted. For example, This video reminds me of other cases of animals who seemed to able to engage in complex human behaviors, such as addition and subtraction. The story of Clever Hans is widely sited in psyc 101 textbooks. Clever Hans’s abilities were uncovered as a hoax because the animal was being prompted unknowingly by the crowed of observers.
In any case, training or not, the fine motor movement is impressive.
come on Liz, it’s not fake, life is magical and sometimes things happen to prove that to you.
I think the elephant painted that for you so you wouldn’t be so cynical!
LOL! There is a difference between cynical and skeptical…but maybe I’m both…
I’ve actually heard of elaphants painting before and David Henley has done art therapy with animals before. I’ve heard of art therapy with chimps, elephants and dolphins, straight from David Henley. I’m not sure if he specifically worked with all of those animals but he has done work with some of them, I don’t know why I’m thinking dolphins. He has some art created by animals in his office. I think he’s published some articles on the topic too.
-Melissa
The Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Chiang Mai is a real place with real elephants, who paint real pictures, with real paint on real paper. Elephants are highly intelligent deep feeling and social creatures. Sadly many have suffered horrific abuse at the hand of the human owners. The lucky ones come to a rehab center that is actually focused on rehabilitation. In addition to art therapy they also have music therapy, using drums, symbols etc and make a rythmic musical sound. In fact many zoos are employing art therapy now to help their elephants. It has been reported that it has drastically reduced the incidents and severity of undesireable behaviors like swaying and self-mutilation.