A video featuring two women doing Bharatanatyam behind an elephant swaying behind them has caught the world’s attention with millions tuning in. The viewers may have been enthralled by the appearance of this elephant as a participant with the dancers, but an officer from the Indian Forest Service has revealed the disturbing fact behind this apparently happy film.
In the clip, two women elegantly dance Bharatanatyam in an open area with an elephant, tethers tied behind them to a pole that sways back and forth. This video shared on X under the caption, “Two girls are performing Bharatanatyam when suddenly an elephant joins in, matching their moves and vibing along gracefully,” has racked up almost 700,000 views with hundreds of comments hailing the apparent coordination of the animal.
— Bhoomika Maheshwari (@sankii_memer) November 26, 2024
Fans hailed the elephant as “gorgeous” and “poetic” for its alleged involvement in the video, but not everyone found that video so sweet.
IFS officer Parveen Kaswan highlighted that the elephant’s movements are likely a sign of distress rather than joy. He responded to the video, writing: “That elephant is stressed. It is not a sign of dancing but stress.” Kaswan urged viewers not to anthropomorphise animals, explaining that they express emotions differently from humans.
To illustrate his point, Kaswan shared another video of an elephant exhibiting similar swaying motions, often associated with stereotypic behaviour—a repetitive action commonly observed in captive animals under stress or boredom.
Stereotypic behaviour in elephants includes swaying, head bobbing, pacing, and repetitive movements. These behaviours are usually seen in animals confined in unnatural environments, such as small enclosures or chains, where they lack adequate stimulation or freedom to move. Such conditions prevent elephants from exhibiting their natural behaviours, leading to frustration and psychological distress.
While the viral video brought smiles to many faces, it also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by captive elephants and the importance of ensuring their welfare. Experts continue to advocate for better environments and more humane treatment of these gentle giants.
