The damaging effects of climate change aren’t the only reasons behind the growing list of endangered species. One can also blame unsafe animal labor practices, pollution, and destruction of the animals’ natural habitat to name a few. Among the animals that fall victim to these unfortunate circumstances are elephants.
While the iconic animal has greatly impacted the tourism industry of Thailand, no one really talks about how poorly these creatures have suffered. Thai elephants inhabit tropical forests in the northern and western parts of the country but because of illegal logging (where elephants are used to carry trees!) and agricultural demands, the forests, too, have suffered.
The alarming decrease of forest cover caused the elephants to land on the endangered species list.
After all, with unsafe homes and insufficient room for thriving, how could these creatures survive?
Thankfully, there are animal rights activists who relentlessly help put a stop these practices and aid animals by putting them in safer spaces where they are taken care of properly. As pitiful as rescued animals look, it’s always a relief to know that they are in much better hands and can spend the rest of their days in peace, just like one special elephant who captured the heart of a stellar musician.
Paul Barton is more than an incredible pianist.
He holds a soft spot for animals and does not hesitate to extend compassion towards each creature.
More than just acknowledging how poorly animals are treated, Barton also goes out of his way to comfort them and somehow assuage the lonely conditions the animals had no choice but to settle for in the past.
His piano-playing skills can be seen in this video where he plays a Beethoven classic entitled “Moonlight Sonata” to a former logging elephant named Mongkol.
In his YouTube channel, Barton shares how Mongkol the elephant spent most of his life hauling trees in the Thai forest, which resulted in the animal losing his right eye and tusk. The destroying of forests and having the animals who reside in it tow heavy trees for illegal logging is a sad reality that people in Thailand and the world over continue to fight against. It’s not easy but there have been changes: people, too, are refusing to ride the elephants and take photographs when touring the place.
Fortunately, the elephant was rescued and brought to ElephantsWorld, an animal rescue facility that allows people to meet and feed elephants, help prepare food for them, feed them, and observe them bathing.
The 61-year-old elephant now spends his days by the River Kwai.
Barton was immediately drawn to the gentle and sensitive creature, more so when he discovered that the elephant responded positively to music.
This inspired Barton to comfort Mongkol by occasionally playing the piano for him. It was a beautiful and moving sight: human and animal spending a quiet moment together, enveloped with a soothing melody and the sound of crickets chirping.
Barton’s gesture proves that kindness to animals isn’t confined to signing petitions that demand change, actively protesting unsafe labor practices, and the like. Telling their stories, sitting with them, and offering comfort and company are also ways of showing animals that the world isn’t all that bad.
Watch the touching moment below as this elephant is soothed by the beautiful piano playing.
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