It’s impossible to deny the magical nature of music, especially when you think about its acceptance worldwide. Music is one of the most potent forces in the world, and even science backs its supremacy up.
While the time human beings began listening to music remains unknown, scientists have proven that music can improve physical, mental, and emotional health.
Aside from being enjoyable to listen to, music has a way of uniting people from far and wide. And we bet you didn’t know that music also promotes learning.
Additionally, there is proof that music can speed our recovery from several diseases and even minor injuries. Exciting right?
It seems animals aren’t immune to this healing power either. Music helps provide positive effects in mitigating some psychogenic stresses.
It also helps to alleviate pain in animals that are suffering from chronic discomfort.
Classical music, for example, helps animals sleep better. And we all know no one’s cranky after a good rest.
Music’s benefits to humans and animals are too extensive not to be fascinated by it. That’s why when we found this story about a pianist playing healing music for a rescue elephant, we had to share it.
If you’re a lover of a good story, then you simply have to check out the full piece below!
Meet the pianist who performs for elephants
Paul Barton is a phenomenal pianist who doubles as a wildlife enthusiast. However, don’t get too excited to listen to him perform because his preferred audience is usually four-legged.
Since 2011, he has been playing passages by Beethoven, Schumann, or Grieg to rescue elephants in Thailand. His music also provides healing for many elephants who have been rescued from the logging industry.
Healing Mongkol
Paul’s latest audience member is a senior bull elephant, Mongkol, who has been through a lot in the past.
He was only recently rescued after spending his life in captivity. Like Paul’s other audience members, Mangkol was intrigued by his performances.
Mongkol enjoyed the sounds emanating from the piano so much that he would occasionally stop by the piano while taking a stroll, to enjoy some classical music.
According to Paul;
Occasionally, Mongkol when strolling along the river would stop by the piano. If we noticed him waiting I would go over and play him a few slow classical pieces.
Watch Paul as he performs for the majestic elephants
Paul wasn’t surprised to find how well Mongkol enjoyed his performances. This was because he usually performed for elephants residing at the Elephants World, a sanctuary on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
One of many
Many of the elephants in the sanctuary have experienced numerous physical and psychological trauma due to their time in captivity. It turned out that classical music provided all the solace they needed.
It seems worthwhile to play piano music to elephants if they enjoy it, elephants that have had stressful lives and live in a world of darkness, but apparently, there is something infinitesimally wonderful in a piece of Beethoven that connects me to that elephant and that feeling is otherworldly, Paul said.
Healing one elephant at a time
If you didn’t believe in the power of music before, we hope you’re an unapologetic convert now.
Elephants are fascinating animals that need to be protected by all means necessary, and it’s so great to see Paul taking his time to ensure that these elephants are doing good.
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