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Classical pianist plays “Moonlight Sonata” for elderly elephant
Watch how this elephant reacts to hearing the piano.
Johndel Callora
04.03.20

Do you often listen to classical music? Researchers suggest that listening to classical music reduces your mental stress levels, allowing you to relax. This type of music has the same positive effect on some animals as well.

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Flickr.com

Dogs, for example, find it easier to sleep in their kennels with classical music on in the background. Cows also produce more milk when listening to classical music, which is a great help to farmers. We could say that classical music has its magical quality that gives physical and mental benefits not only to humans but also to some animals.

This elephant gently flaps its giant ears while listening to the piano.

Youtube screenshot
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Youtube screenshot

This clip is more proof of animals liking classical music. In this video, Paul Barton, a pianist, decides to play “Moonlight Sonata” for a 61-year-old Asian elephant named Mongkol.

Youtube screenshot
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Youtube screenshot

The sun has already gone down, but Barton and his team still set a classical piano in the middle of the forest. They took Mongkol and left him at Barton’s side. As the first note is played, you can already see Mongkol taking interest in the music by flapping his ears. As each movement progresses, Mongkol continues to show his appreciation by wagging his tail and even swaying his trunk around.

At one point, you can also see him raising his trunk up high.

Youtube screenshot
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Youtube screenshot

Mongkol never leaves Barton’s side even though he could just run off to the forest if he wanted to. His relaxed look throughout the video really shows that this animal loves music. Barton gave Mongkol a sweet hug at the end of the video.

Youtube screenshot
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Youtube screenshot

The video was uploaded by Paul Barton himself on his channel, racking up more than three million views. A lot of people have shown appreciation for Barton’s tireless efforts to make this possible.

Mongkol now spends his life in an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.

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Youtube screenshot

In Mongkol’s earlier years, he was captured to haul huge logs in the Thai forest. He was brutally overworked and that caused some deformities in his body. He lost his right tusk and his eye due to this cruel process.

Youtube screenshot
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Youtube screenshot

Right now, he is spending the remainder of his life peacefully at Elephants World, a large elephant sanctuary located in Thailand that helps save the lives of these gentle pachyderms from the abusive acts of humans. Over 30 rescued elephants are now living here, and Mongkol is one of them.

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Youtube screenshot

Paul Barton is a classical pianist for elephants.

Paul Barton was once a classical and contemporary pianist performing at many concerts. Now, he uses his fingers to play the piano once more for these gentle giants. He spends most of his time in Elephants World taking care of the elephants and playing classical music for them.

Barton believes that classical music is the best genre to play for these emotional creatures. When he plays pieces from Debussy, Beethoven, and other classical pianists, he finds that the elephants have an interesting reaction. Sometimes they just stop their activities and sway to the music.

Youtube screenshot
Source:
Youtube screenshot

Barton has found joy and satisfaction from seeing the elephants’ reactions as he plays his music. Watch Barton play for Mongkol in the video below.

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