Please note that elephant head bobbing/swaying is a distress reaction to being held captive and not having their biological and behavioral needs met. Please search “elephant stereotypy” and “the captivity industry” to learn more. The elephants will thank you.
This elephant is exhibiting stereotypic behavior, bobbing and pacing are signs of distress and boredom. Elephants do not do this in the wild or in sanctuary. All zoos should release their elephants to sanctuary just like the Detroit Zoo did.
BTW, the Oregon Zoo made the 2010 list for "10 Worst Zoos for Elephants" put out by the IDA (In Defense of Animals.) This is their 3 year in a row on that list. You're handy with a camera and editing. Perhaps you can remix this into a "save the elephants" campaign instead, now that you've got so many replies from people here.
Clearly you're an animal lover. Yet, there's something you don't know. The elephant isn't "dancing." It's showing symptoms of captivity-induced dysfunction. When elephants are stressed to the point of madness, they repetitively sway and bounce their heads like that. To someone who doesn't know this, it looks like the elephant is being playful. Sadly, it's an end result of the elephant being forced to conform to inadequate living conditions.
This 14,000-pound elephant, Tusko, is displaying neurotic behavior. Neurotic behavior shows that the elephant is not living in the proper environment, does not have enough space, is frustrated and bored, and may even be a bit depressed. Elephants are very sensitive and intelligent animals, and we are discovering that we cannot continue the practice of keeping elephants in zoos.
This is not funny. This is sad. This elephant is exhibiting stereotypic, neurotic behavior. This is what autistic children and humans exhibit when they don't have mental and social stimulation. Elephants are extremely intelligent and this what they do when they don't have space to roam, don't have a true natural, environment in which to socialize with other elephants. Captivity is killing our elephants early and making them nuts, while they are still alive. Send her to TN or CA ele sanctuary.
Oh thats so sweet!! Thanks for your reply. Yes then, if your Dad was playing that music and the elephant was doing that, then, yes, he was enjoying it and dancing to the music. Animals love good music.
Animals belong in the wild, not caged in a zoo. I agree with that, but he has been in captivity for many, many years. I don't agree with re-releasing animals- it's a danger to them and to the humans around them. He's huge and he associates people with food. Can you see how that'd possibly go wrong?
Yes, I can see how it all went horribly wrong for this creature, and as a result, this elephant is relegated to living a life in a ridiculous zoo, when he should be in a sanctuary.
Hello? Elephants DO NOT DANCE, and this poor elephant has nothing to be happy about. It is displaying classic stereotypic behavior caused by stress and confinement in an inadequate habitat.
the Oregon Zoo is notorious for using cruel bullhooks to dominate and intimidate the peaceful mammals.
Please educate yourself on this serious problem with zoos, and if I were you I'd change the name of this vid to something more appropriate, like "Why elephants don't belong in zoos."
@journeyman47 I've been going there for years and I've been watching the elephants for years. I've never seen ANY marks on those animals or a reason to guess their being abused.
Rose Tu was hooked in the early 90's but the 'keeper' was fired the next day. That's hardly a history.
And they more room and an admittedly better enclosure in other areas. If he had been standing in a more scenic area, well, it'd look better. but he was there.
and, their expanding the exhibit and an off area housing
@lottascot there's more to the exhibit up in the front, it is more scenic then the back; if I remember correctly he was in the back with two of the girls (Chendra and Shine) because Rose Tu and Sam (the baby) were inside and Packy was in the front. They don't have enough space to keep the boys in one yard so usually one is in the front/back, one's inside, and the girls and the baby are in the other yard. but they do rotate them quite frequently
Somebody shoot or release the elephant already. It appears the poor little thing is seriously sad about being in captivity with all that concrete monotony and stuff.
There is a better, more scenic part to the exhibit, but one of the other boys was out there :) They DO rotate them through though so he is not in the back part all the time.
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Please note that elephant head bobbing/swaying is a distress reaction to being held captive and not having their biological and behavioral needs met. Please search “elephant stereotypy” and “the captivity industry” to learn more. The elephants will thank you.
Dele1219 5 months ago
This elephant is exhibiting stereotypic behavior, bobbing and pacing are signs of distress and boredom. Elephants do not do this in the wild or in sanctuary. All zoos should release their elephants to sanctuary just like the Detroit Zoo did.
scottwork47 8 months ago
wow y is this the funniest thing u have ever seen?
MsPacmanBaby 1 year ago
@MsPacmanBaby I Agree...
iReallyLoveUnicorns 1 year ago
@iReallyLoveUnicorns what no i was wondering y is it the funniest thing u have ever seen? ive seen funnier
MsPacmanBaby 1 year ago
BTW, the Oregon Zoo made the 2010 list for "10 Worst Zoos for Elephants" put out by the IDA (In Defense of Animals.) This is their 3 year in a row on that list. You're handy with a camera and editing. Perhaps you can remix this into a "save the elephants" campaign instead, now that you've got so many replies from people here.
SacredElephants 1 year ago
Clearly you're an animal lover. Yet, there's something you don't know. The elephant isn't "dancing." It's showing symptoms of captivity-induced dysfunction. When elephants are stressed to the point of madness, they repetitively sway and bounce their heads like that. To someone who doesn't know this, it looks like the elephant is being playful. Sadly, it's an end result of the elephant being forced to conform to inadequate living conditions.
SacredElephants 1 year ago
This 14,000-pound elephant, Tusko, is displaying neurotic behavior. Neurotic behavior shows that the elephant is not living in the proper environment, does not have enough space, is frustrated and bored, and may even be a bit depressed. Elephants are very sensitive and intelligent animals, and we are discovering that we cannot continue the practice of keeping elephants in zoos.
awesomeH2O 1 year ago
This is not funny. This is sad. This elephant is exhibiting stereotypic, neurotic behavior. This is what autistic children and humans exhibit when they don't have mental and social stimulation. Elephants are extremely intelligent and this what they do when they don't have space to roam, don't have a true natural, environment in which to socialize with other elephants. Captivity is killing our elephants early and making them nuts, while they are still alive. Send her to TN or CA ele sanctuary.
dfabpeck 1 year ago 2
PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THESE ANIMALS GETTING SCARCE , LET THEM LIVE IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT
ciaram535 1 year ago
It's not dancing. It's severely depressed and traumatized!
Rakshaming 1 year ago
The name of that music is "The Baby Elephant Dance."
I would like to know if the elephant was hearing the music or did you add it to his cute lil'dance? :)
Elephants are so precious!!
mercifulmama 2 years ago
@mercifulmama thank you :)
my dad was playing it on his cell phone so he heard the music and then started doing... whatever the heck he was doing :P
I just added a better music track later :) but it was the same song
DontUWannaKitKatBar 2 years ago
Oh thats so sweet!! Thanks for your reply. Yes then, if your Dad was playing that music and the elephant was doing that, then, yes, he was enjoying it and dancing to the music. Animals love good music.
I LOVE Elephants they are wonderful!! :)
mercifulmama 2 years ago
Nothing charming about this "dance."
Clearly the creature is exhibiting physical signs of distress.
Animals belong in the wild, not caged in a zoo.
CDLver 2 years ago
@CDLver
Animals belong in the wild, not caged in a zoo. I agree with that, but he has been in captivity for many, many years. I don't agree with re-releasing animals- it's a danger to them and to the humans around them. He's huge and he associates people with food. Can you see how that'd possibly go wrong?
DontUWannaKitKatBar 2 years ago
Yes, I can see how it all went horribly wrong for this creature, and as a result, this elephant is relegated to living a life in a ridiculous zoo, when he should be in a sanctuary.
CDLver 2 years ago
Hello? Elephants DO NOT DANCE, and this poor elephant has nothing to be happy about. It is displaying classic stereotypic behavior caused by stress and confinement in an inadequate habitat.
the Oregon Zoo is notorious for using cruel bullhooks to dominate and intimidate the peaceful mammals.
Please educate yourself on this serious problem with zoos, and if I were you I'd change the name of this vid to something more appropriate, like "Why elephants don't belong in zoos."
journeyman47 2 years ago 2
@journeyman47 I've been going there for years and I've been watching the elephants for years. I've never seen ANY marks on those animals or a reason to guess their being abused.
Rose Tu was hooked in the early 90's but the 'keeper' was fired the next day. That's hardly a history.
And they more room and an admittedly better enclosure in other areas. If he had been standing in a more scenic area, well, it'd look better. but he was there.
and, their expanding the exhibit and an off area housing
DontUWannaKitKatBar 2 years ago
I also agree cheater, this is not right, unless he/she's going to have more, green space later.
lottascot 2 years ago
@lottascot there's more to the exhibit up in the front, it is more scenic then the back; if I remember correctly he was in the back with two of the girls (Chendra and Shine) because Rose Tu and Sam (the baby) were inside and Packy was in the front. They don't have enough space to keep the boys in one yard so usually one is in the front/back, one's inside, and the girls and the baby are in the other yard. but they do rotate them quite frequently
DontUWannaKitKatBar 2 years ago
Hi! it's called 'Baby Elephant Walk' by ?? forget - will have to check. Think it's from a movie in 60's ?
lottascot 2 years ago
Shazam on my BlackBerry says its Baby Elephant Walk by Henry Mancini
orangePob 2 years ago
Somebody shoot or release the elephant already. It appears the poor little thing is seriously sad about being in captivity with all that concrete monotony and stuff.
But the song really is quite cool, though!
cheater123 3 years ago 2
There is a better, more scenic part to the exhibit, but one of the other boys was out there :) They DO rotate them through though so he is not in the back part all the time.
DontUWannaKitKatBar 2 years ago
what is the music that goes with this vid called ...have been trying to find out for years..:D ???
JaneEmma09 3 years ago
LOL
gurl1687 3 years ago