Elephants Painting Elephants in Thailand.

[kratos508]

The most successful people are the ones that are usually never unsuccessful

[n1ggerofdeath]

they diserve an A++

[TheStaticage01]

how did they figure out they like to paint-was it by accident?

[ddioppp]

its fake! the elephant man controls it!

[MikeToddOnline]

*claps*

[MonticelloMark]

@MonticelloMark sorry, it's called "The Last Elephants in Thailand"

[gekkegerrit11]

it makes me cry ...

[deanmullen10]

Free the elephants! :'( free all the animals!

[nbhaskar888]

god !! I can't believe my eyes....there's so much wonder hidden from us in this world! i am wondering how less of this world we know and understand..

[ForexCheckMate]

that is history right there, puts a tear to a callous man's eye

[lddrummerhill]

fyi elephants don't paint this way of their own volition, they have been trained to duplicate images for sale to tourists. inquiring minds can find TRUE creations from elephant artists. see elephant art gallery spotting a fake

[PlasticPoncho]

This is why I have an elephant tattoo <3

[iateadragon123]

What the crap is this song?

[kewldawg511]

cool :)

[Effthiswebsite]

lolololol these elephants are the SHIT!!!!!!

[Rasverix82]

wow i always knew elephants were talented but this puts it at a whole new level

[nerblebun]

These amazing animals paint better than I do. Hell.... I can barely draw stick people.

[alicexpalace]

im half thai . ive seen elephants paint b4

[Candyann22]

What do you have to say about the abusive and destructive elephant training ritual phajaan, which all trained elephants in Thailand go through?

[o0TheGreatGuy0o]

there's a video with an elephant painting another elephant with a flower in it's trunk and it's even more amazing! search "elephant painting" and it should be the top result and this should be the third.

[mitchbuchanan6969]

What song is this!!!!, cool vid

[markrankov]

Kevin MacLeod, Canon in D major

[quarksinmyhead]

Pachelbel's Canon, but you probably figured it out iabout seven months ago lol

[lstcougarlady]

Interesting but would be more interested to know where they are kept and what their living area is like here. Whre they sleep, where they eat etc. I did notice on two occasions on this video that the elephants are still wearing heavy chains. Does this mean they are tethered up with chains? Are these animals on display and what happens to the money? Does it go back into the care of the animal for food and vet allowances??? Need more information.

[MsDMay]

i agree :)

[aiimangmum]

I'm thai People

This is elephant place at northern upcountry of Thailand. In this place is big forest place. In thai you can see a chains with elephant for showing time because of It's may be dangerour for some case such as It fear about lould sound or emergensy case. Staff use for save tourist but when rest time every one is free you can find video of shower time. Reason of this time It's a few forest left in world no one can safe elephant or other animal in forest every.

[subnuz000]

i love them 2 their so smart

[flowerpower2696]

amazing!!

[learntosucceed]

That is just incredibly awesome and completely explains why I CANNOT paint. Thanks for sharing such an inspirational video.

[cornbreadcupcakes7]

i ♥ elephants & WOW!

[lartart]

this is a beautifully written video and great use of pictures with video

[Volumep]

the elephants are amazing and very clever creatures

[Naru90]

oodio ke karinii *_*

[Cosi88]

WOW!!!

[MiSsSaMiEzz]

amazing !

=)

cutee vid!

:)

[metalpojken]

so cool i cry little

[lyssa2020]

how cute

[DanceSuriya]

that's the most beautiful thing i've ever seen!

[sindude300]

i went b4 there will be 2 elephant carry a post saying welcome to what what cannot remember

[ruttergod]

The owner stands beside the elephant and has trained it to move its trunk corresponding to how the owner touches the elephant, moves his leg around, etc... It's like putting a paintbrush in a child's hand and then moving it around to paint something.

[llazy1]

U may be over analysising an affectionate pat... I saw one where the handler did nothing other than put the paint on the brush.. stood with arms folded while the elephant painted. No touches, taps or leg bumps.

[Michelleslife]

omg i have loved elephants since like forever i even have a song about them!!

[americanmaiden22]

wow, awsome!

[Gvozdov]

wow that cool

[pachaaaspaisa]

if you closely look at the picture collections, theres one with a tree. What I don't understand is how the hell are these elephants able to shade appropriately? That takes more skills than just "teaching" it how to draw. Remember shading requires the ability to have an imaginative mind. Now that's incredible.

[zackorsborn]

do you the song that is playing in the background?

[tampie2000]

it's in the credits

[theboyandhiswand]

we are gonna start seeing a lot of fellow animals show self-awareness in the upcoming years.

i myself find that utterly fascinating. i am so excited about the future, so damn excited :)

[paulsorgi]

Elephants can learn to paint imagine what people can learn to do

[iamstoopd]

lol

[ibumo]

Their is God...Ok? i siad it... THERE IS A GOD

[firstar7406]

There is Zeus... ok? there I said it... There is Zeus. Oh no wait I mean Allah, oh no... I mean Shriva? or is it Thor, ya thats it Thor there is a Thor... Thinking about it, what does Thor has to do with this? Oh ya, his the one controling their skills, or... no thats true he does not intervene in everyday life, since there would be no wars (or he would kill all the infidel). Ya long live Thor the one and only God. And Adam his messenger, or is it Zarathustra, ...

[Omnist]

You can really taste the Thor...

[journeyman47]

Heh, heh! Pretty good!

[sinchute]

I go twp drections with this.....First I absolutly love Elephnts and this is so beutifull to me in in fact they are treated humane.....they seem sto be happy, wagging of the tails and the trainers dont have to do much but stand next to them.....the chains on the necks tho does break my heart and that is where my concerns for how humane theese beutiful animals are treated.....

[ibumo]

Think of it as bling...but seriously the elephats seem so at peace as they draw...

[journeyman47]

One thing: elephants "wagging" tails doesn't mean they're happy, like dogs. Different species altogether.

[Izzythecool]

ELEPHANTS ROX MY SOX

[jdmoran2]

However it is accomplished, it is a wonderful

surprise and pleasant to see and ENJOY !!

I'm just grateful someone, for whatever reason, put it online for us to share.

Thanks!!

[Trezabettencourt]

Amazing art! I hope they are happy otherwise.

[SuzTheMuse]

Perhaps now we should let them all be. We have made a huge error to think that we are the only intelligent beings on this planet. It is obvious now that we aren't alone. Please lets take care of our friends, the elephants.

[domengzu1]

what country is this one?

[free2luvcrack]

they look like asian elephants, so it might be thailand or a country near thailand

[pandemonious]

Asian elephants are found all over the world in zoo settings. It's like saying if you see a Chinese person you must be in China. Why not New York? Why not the Milwaukee Zoo?

[RaynMagick]

upon reading the "more info" by the person who submitted this video, I say "kudos!" to those caring enough to provide these beautiful creatures with SOMETHING rather than NOTHING.. they look astho they are being well cared for; there could be real horrors awaiting them under other circumstances. it is what it is, and I personally am happy for these magnificent beings. I'd also like very much to support the cause.. gonna look on the sites to see about buying one or some ;o) *blessed be all* <3

[tawvry]

The chains on their neck still make me a little sad

[eloesh]

That is amazing, but I would guess the art is a therapeutic response to being in captivity? Elephant slave art for sale . . . cuz tusks are just passe.

[mycatxander]

I think it's brilliant that they can do the painting. It's a form of mental stimulation for an intelligent being. Certainly better than being cooped up with nothing to do. Remember that most (all?) of these elephants were captive born and most likely appreciate the positive attention.

[frankmike65]

I would very much like to see all Elephants running wild as intended. But, sometimes you have to take what you've got. Someday, hopefully sooner than later, more people will realize that these are troubled times, and the call for action is pressing.

[frankmike65]

l as for caretaker education, veterinarian care, and food for domesticated elephants." I can't vouch for their statements, but I do think that these Elephants are better off painting...than other horrors that might await them were it not for these "care-takers". I would very much like to see all Elephants running wild as intended. But, sometimes you have to take what you've got.

[frankmike65]

"When Thailand cut back on logging, at least 3,000 domesticated elephants were no longer needed for hauling. These wonderful creatures are facing unprecedented survival challenges. Boombin's amazing art is being sold to help save the demising number of Asian elephants and protect them from people using them for illegal logging or begging for handouts on city streets. Proceeds are used to keep their native habitats as wel

[aviatik]

they should send them to the west where they'll get proper treatment and all the cake they can eat

[free2luvcrack]

O.o Elephants can eat cakes...?

[frankmike65]

Unfortunately, reality plays a big part in life, and the misfortunes reign over all. Big and small. Man and Elephant. And, the fact is that these animals do not live in the wild. And the people caring for them are destined to be their...care-takers. It is what it is, and it is not terrible. (If you want to see terrible, watch a video of your fellow humans working in a cubicle or an slaughter-house assembly line, or a corporate retailer, and give those guys a big hug as well.

[frankmike65]

I'd like to give you a big hug too, Diane. And I certainly understand where you are coming from. Elephants are so special. People pretend to understand them, but they haven't even scratched the surface. And yet their world grows smaller and smaller due to the sad injustices of progress.

[sosassyshivani]

wow that elephant is better then me!! OMFG!!

Wow

that so cool

[dianesthaler]

it would be cool if elephants were supposed to paint....the paintings are unbelievable and yes it would be great to own one but i feel sorry for the elephants and i want to give each of them a big hug because they should be in the wild doing what they're supposed to do, things that are natural to them....

[Artylady4u]

I'm an artist and have supported myself my entire life through my selftaught art. Animals and people have natural talents in many areas. Elephants are very intelligent but this is really amazing. God gave them a means to save themselves from the horrors of poaching. Now maybe we can find a talent for the endangered Rhinos.

[Contraphet]

Evolution, not God.

[Jaredhalterman]

ur such a rebel

[nothingbutabbie]

everybody can draw if they put there mine to it.

[marcialeer]

that is special!

[Beckyshort]

Why do they pain flowers?

[Manymee]

maybe because they're pretty - or maybe because they grow all around. :)

[justoto]

waooo

[gotkas]

I cannot tell you how touched I was to see the elephant paint a self portrait. It made me realize how little we know about the thinking of these beautiful animals AND their innate intelligence. Bravo!

Don Price - NYC

[stevenO5]

same her..^^

[dustythecoolg]

It's called center for Elephants.

[animalliberation0961]

This is the exact reason why animals in circuses should be outlawed!!! Just because we're too stupid to figure them out doesn't mean they're 'dumb'.

[nolasuicide]

Are you suggesting that this video shows that the elephants possess some sort of artistic intellect?

This is a circus trick. The elephants are taught the strokes (through repetition) while their trainers choose the colors.

It might be cruel to make animals do tricks, I just have to laugh at how some of you crusaders are blinded by your own beliefs to the point that you actually prove the point...

animals are smarter than people. (some people anyway)

[vahnm]

But art is a mixture of what you know, your surroundings, mood, and imagination. Someone who draws purely from memory lacks soul, and their art comes off as such... But these paintings are lively and innocent. Perhaps other species have the ability to produce art... Perhaps they have for a long time, and we've just never noticed it. Maybe we're just helping them. Personally, I think it's beautiful.

[corporallukemia]

then its not art. its a trick.

[Byakamura]

It's neither. It's a scientific breakthrough. Do your research. The elephant understands the relationship between the lines he is drawing. He can paint the same painting out of sequence. It may not be from imagination but it is more than just stroke by stroke copying. It's having a photographic memory and being able to produce the same picture again and again in different sequences

[domcurran2003]

well of course they are taught the strokes, so are human artists!!! art is not just something that you pick up on! you are trained to be an artist, be that proffessionally or just by someone who says thats good bad or mediocre! the amazing thing is that these elephants have the intellect to copy this so well and the memory to remember all these images!!!

what you have to remember is that there are humans out there that cant draw like this!!!

[bostoncbr]

This is pretty amazing, but it still IS a circus trick. Elephants have incredible memory and can be taught to reproduce a painting, but they have no comprehension of what that image is supposed to represent and it is not in their free will to do this. This is just another animal that humans are using for our own benefit/entertainment by putting them to work for a reward. Not cool.

[goodgames]

reproduce a painting? reproduce what? i swear, if you taught a elephant to paint a similar replica of the mona lisa (too complicated what so ever) they would paint a african tree or their homeland/(town) because what they painted is how they feel.. happy they probably would paint something to express that, like painting a flower or something, but they'll paint their homeland when they miss it most..

[bablanadon]

Oh wow. I really hope the money they make out of selling those paintings are for a good cause. It would be wrong if they are using the elephants for their benefit.

Very good paintings by the way.

[Thinkfest]

Do the elephants paint the same picture? No. Many of the paintings are odd jumbles, inept mishmashes euphemistically called "abstracts". Are the handlers guiding the paint strokes? No. Notice that Hong goes over a line she thought was too light; that shows a LOT of free judgment. It would be very difficult to communicate to an elephant that a line needed to be redone. Is it CGI? No. See the other videos. :)

[lollivamp]

i agree~~! and she knew where to connect the lines and stop them, too, it was clean work~!

[SpaceCarnivora]

Even if they do get guidance from trainers, it is still very impressive they can do it at all.

[shaudee67]

Those paintings are beautiful, as beautiful as an abstract human painter's. Again, I am astonished at the abilities and beauty of the animal world. What a joy they are!

[Envy3x111]

These elephants do better work than those Deviantartlets drawing their favorite Final Fantasy VII and Harry Potter characters in questionable situations.

[zapper76]

amazing!!!!

[cloverpiece]

wowowowow

[HardcoreTakis]

wow

[BenStilller]

@rlong04

what a brilliant story!

[DavidDayPraise]

i feel like crying watching this

[rauf107]

how? are they that smart? cant believe..if they have that ability they can do much more things

[FOWLMUSIC]

IF you watch the other elephant painting videos, you'll see that they paint the EXACT same pictures over and over again. It is a learned trick. Still amazing they can use their trunks like that though! ELEPHANTS ROCK!!! Unfortunately their art is all paint by number. I do like it when they let the elephants go and they paint random abstract stuff though.

[thooker144]

Still it's an achievement to get the elephants to know which number has which color.

[RocketScience92]

Which ones are abstract, I think those would be the best, unless you are of course wrong and they do paint by imagination... I'm not saying you are wrong, just an idea.

[xObunnyluvOx]

this is amazing

i have ALWAYS loved elephants as well as all the other animals and i just hope they love doing this and are being taken care of

this is beautiful and this is why we have to look after our world. this vid made me cry.

[rlong04]

I know a man that used to train elephants and he was mean to them. One day, one of the elephants sat on him. His entire body went up his ass and dissapeared forever. Nobody even knew until they next week, when he was crapped out during a circus.

[rubbe]

hahaha

[dragon8bee]

to..rlong04

LMAO.... I was all scared at first i thought it was going to be a bad story

[dragon8bee]

this is the most F****** (there are not words to describe how i feel watching this) amazing video, goose bumps and all. I have always loved elephants and i hope to God that this is about people taking care of them, and giving them a good gentle life. If this is the case, I am moved beyond your imagination, and i would love to have an original of these paintings..and Canon in D Major just completes my experience in watching this. moved- totally moved

[iplayloud2]

Shes gonna catch carpian tunnel syndrome ;-)

[blunailpolish]

That is awesome!!!!

[Triggaspitta]

elephants have a special ability to remember maps within their brians of places in their enviroment. this explains how they can reproduce a thought or image so well onto a piece of paper

[Rozbeanz]

I know its a good cause but I just hope the Elephants enjoy it x

[douchbag94]

you forgot the painting by an elephant of an elephant holding a flower looking happy

[luckysevenstar]

where is this elephant sanctuary?

[stoleyourmateria]

i'm pretty sure it's in Thailand.

[Foldurrr3]

Yep, Chiang Mai, Thailand

[rlong04]

Miami Beach

[doggygirlx1]

where can u buy these??

[cloud26793]

soooooooo damn cute!!!!!!!!!!

did they paint them pictures at the start?

i mean, DID THEY REALLY?

if they did then that is just amazing...

clever animals

[drew30319]

"Positive behavioral training techniques and non-toxic paints are used while Somjai explores his sense of style" according to the "Exotic World Gifts" website which is selling elephant paintings.

I take this to mean that the elephants were either trained to paint these images or have been trained to follow cues from their handler and "paint" via commands. Still impressive. :-)

[NicoloWhite]

Lo que hace a un animal tan hermoso son sus cualidades que lo definen como tal y el mismo hecho de no ser un humano lleno de trancas y a veces sentimientos tan malos , verlo pintando me produce escalofrios, sus cuadros son preciosos...per esa acctitud humana me da escalofrios. Por otra parte que sabemos de como lso entrenaron para que hicieran todo eso? de seguro no estan actuando x voluntad propia...

nose que decir...me choca.

[jantheempress]

cool!

[kimberlynkong]

they put peanut dust on the canvas.....duh!!! i'm gonna put peanut dust all over me!!!!1

[loplop91]

elephants are color blind though.

[poniesrus]

have you ever been an elephant?

[rlong04]

I have never been one, but I've done one

[kris10cartoons]

they're obviously trained for the sake of making a buck off tourists - but it's still really really cool

[sowutifmahsnsux]

yeah this is awesome, my aunt and uncle have visited there and bought a painting

[MiskDnB]

It's really nice to see that these elephants can funnel their creative energies into something like this to help relieve the stresses of daily life in the jungle. Get elephants off antidepressants, i say! and get 'em painting!

[rubbe]

Elephants have larger brains then humans.

[JordanG247]

it's not how large a brain is, it's how it's designed

[brownmebrown]

the song is pachelbel's canon

[borislamite]

incredible!

what is the name of music?

[may9119]

canon en R de pachelbell

[s0electrix]

where can i get a paint stand like that online?

[alacuter]

WOW.

[Heartforce]

And we think we are so darn smart! About time animals are seen for who they truly are. Conscious creators here along with humans.

[GAH608]

aww the elephants are sooo cute and the paintings are really good, for an elephant!!!I ♥ Elephants^_^

[rhondakhicks]

Absolutely without question marvelous video.

[thestarduster]

Elephants are "the beast which passeth all others in wit and mind"..no doubt about it.

People go on about dolphins and whales being so smart etc despite elephants having the lowest birth-to-adult brain ratio, meaning they are the animal with the LOWEST instinctive behavior. The elephant brain also has as many nuerons as a human compared with dolphins who actually have very few.

Elephants are our closest relatives emotionally and their brain is very much like our own. To bury the dead is smart.

[bleugeu]

This is amazing. Elephants have such intelligence and compassion. I was going to be "that person" and ask what the name of the song, but you listed it at the end.

Thanks for posting this.

[goowealth]

Oh so sweet. And they really love to draw! They appreciate art and beauty too. Animals or humans, all needs loves and compassion :)

[ReFantash]

they paint better then me!

[ReFantash]

they paint better then me!

[jeancrab]

very cool

[Vicgito]

I'm Speechless

[wish4whatUwant]

wha..??

omg that is soooooo cool!!

[gogators432]

holy crap.  awesome!!

[djjimi]

I recently baught one of these paintings for my sister's new house. They are truely amazing.

[moviemagic4u]

They are Lovely and beautiful gentle giants..!

[valsaladevi]

WOW GOOD

[jjccccc]

its wierd that they all seem to paint the same sort of thing, i wonder what message they are trying to convey. Are they being prompted to paint a perticular subject

[fourdogss]

Oh my God! And the ignorant believe animals do not think and feel. This will touch anyone's heart. Thanks, Al.

[MommaFatSacks]

this is absolutely amazing. art and elephants are probably my two favorite things. i love this, thank you.

[arnk4lyfe89]

so kewl and cute

[Princessportent]

I love elephants! So soulful and compassionate and sensitive. I want to go on a volunteer conservation project to Namibia next year, to work with them and help fundraise. :)

[crazyhimba]

i was there, saw those elephants.. northern thailand, right?

[Violence1987]

Elephants are beautiful :D. They have the mind of a child and the heart of one too, They're very intelligent and wise. They never forget and if you give them respect if they're tamed they'll respect you back. Meeting them was fantastic I can't wait to meet some more when I go back to bali.

[Bigachiever]

WOW is all I can say.

[Roxie525G]

Absolutely amazing!!