Some animals are incredibly talented, performing behaviors that go beyond what’s natural. An example of this is an elephant holding a paintbrush with her trunk to create a self-portrait. A charming video shows the details of this feat.
At 15 years old, Suda has been painting for 10 years and became famous after a video of hers was released on YouTube.
A resident of Maetaeng Park and Clinic in Thailand, she was encouraged by her coach to develop her talent.
The park is recognized for welcoming and providing a safe space for elephants. According to Animal Planet , they began their conservation work in the early 1990s. Currently, 80 reside in the area, in addition to caring for and treating many others.
But it wasn’t until the 2000s that they taught their elephants to paint, and that’s how Suda’s talent emerged. At four years old, she became famous for her paintings. After that, other elephants learned to hold paintbrushes and create self-portraits.
Some time ago, the park welcomed visitors and showed elephants drawing in front of the crowd. Suda stood next to her trainer, who guided her every movement. Inch by inch, she filled the canvas with color.
Suda painted a brown elephant standing in front of a tree with branches full of hearts. The crowd was thrilled by what they witnessed, and she deserved all the “aaahs,” “ooohs,” and applause.
Reactions to the video
However, this viral video received mixed reviews from viewers. Many were amazed by the elephants’ talent, but many concerns were raised about this feat.
In Thailand, many elephants are bred for lucrative businesses, such as carrying tourists on their backs, among other talent shows. The video raised concerns about potential physical, emotional, or psychological abuse to prevent them from performing as expected.
According to the Maetaeng Park and Clinic website, these elephant paintings are sold to raise funds for the elephants’ needs. Suda is responsible for raising thousands of dollars for the elephant park, which rescues and cares for elephants free of charge.
Watch Suda’s fantastic talent in the video below:
