Did you know that Elephants love music? They will actually hold trunks and sway when they hear the violin!
Not only do Elephants love music, but they also feel it!
One of the greatest examples of this is the ritual shared between a rescued Indian Elephant, FaaMai, and her adoring caretaker Lek Chailert.
The two have developed a deep and intimate companionship since Faa Mai was rescued as a calf and brought to the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand, where Lek herself is the founder.
As Lek was taking a photo with Park visitors, Faa Mai decided to redirect her beloved caretaker’s attention towards what she viewed as a more pressing matter.
From the time the now 9-year-old Elephant was just a calf, Lek has sung her lullabies to calm Faa Mai’s nerves and ease her to sleep.
As an adult, Faa Mai has fallen in love with recently rescued baby Thong Ae and wants to make sure the little elephant gets the same loving treatment as she did.
At first, it appeared as though the massive elephant was just being playful, but as her trunk kept prodding more persistently, Lek decided she’d better just let Faa Mai lead the way.
As the two began to walk, Lek allowed herself to be steered by the massive trunk wrapped around her.
If she tried to veer left or right, Faa Mai would use her trunk to push Lek back onto the path.
In a post on her Facebook page, the Park founder admitted she wasn’t too sure about what Faa Mai was pushing her toward.
I wondered what it was that she really wanted
Well, it didn’t take her very long to discover the answer to her question!
Just a short distance later, Lek found herself face to face with Thong Ae.
Faa Mai stared expectantly at her caretaker, waiting for her to start singing.
As soon as she saw the baby elephant, Lek understood why she had been whisked away.
Lek explained in her post that Faa Mai loves to be lullabied, and wanted to share that joy with Thong Ae.
Faa Mai wanted me to lullaby her little friend, as she is so fond when I sing a lullaby to her.
Such emotional connections have been found to be not only very common but also extraordinarily strong between elephants.
This is especially true for adult females and baby elephants.
When a calf elephant is born many female elephants in the herd will shower it with affection and adoration.
One of the most amazing attributes of elephants is their ability to show love, and lots of it!
In addition to affecting their emotions, music also has physical effects on elephants. One that Faa Mai wanted Thonge Ae to experience.
As Lek serenaded Thong Ae with her lullaby, the gentle giant started cozying up to Faa Mai. Lek explains Faa Mai’s sense of guardianship over the baby elephant as maternal instinct,
She wants to adopt [her] as her own
It was a mother’s love emanating from Faa Mai that urged her to seek out Lek and request a lullaby for Thong Ae.
Not just because they are beautiful to listen to, but also because she wanted her new baby to sleep.
It’s so beautiful to see my little girl who has such a heart of care,I am so proud of this girl.
Faa Mai had the right idea! After the two hold trunks and sway for a moment, Thong Ae settles in and lets the song gently lull him to sleep.
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