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.
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March 30th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
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!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
LOL! There is a difference between cynical and skeptical…but maybe I’m both…
April 10th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
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