Happy or stressed? What's the distressing reality behind viral 'dancing baby elephant' video

Viral ‘dancing’ baby elephant video hides a distressing truth. (Image: Canva)

A baby elephant swaying to music recently stole hearts online. Its trunk moved with the beat, prompting many to call it a “dancing elephant.” But experts say it wasn’t dancing — it was stressed.

Viral video sparks debate on elephant captivity
A video, allegedly from a Tamil Nadu temple, quickly went viral. Thousands admired the baby elephant’s “dance,” unaware it reflected distress, not joy.

Guruvayur temple gave a baby elephant to thiruchendur Murugan temple as a gift.He enjoys dancing! pic.twitter.com/ERbuRgFi4K
Gargi #Decolonization (@gargivach) February 7, 2025

“This isn’t dancing, it’s stereotypical behaviour,” said Sreedhar Vijayakrishnan, a researcher on Asian elephant behaviour. He explained that captive elephants often develop repetitive actions like swaying and head-bobbing. These movements are coping mechanisms caused by stress and lack of freedom.

“Such behaviour can lead to ankylosis, where bones in joints fuse abnormally,” Vijayakrishnan added. Prolonged confinement and restricted movement trigger this painful condition.

Two girls are performing Bharatnatyam when suddenly an elephant joins in, matching their moves and vibing along gracefully. pic.twitter.com/VTab1746CB Ciberclips (@CiberClips_) November 27, 2024

Tradition turns into commercial exploitation
Historically, elephants helped in temple construction and heavy lifting. Later, they became part of religious processions, seen as carriers of divine blessings.

However, things changed in the late 20th century. “Kerala began importing elephants from north and northeast India in 1978,” Vijayakrishnan noted. This led to a surplus of elephants, turning them into commercial assets rather than cultural icons.

Welcoming Umamaheshwara the lifelike mechanical elephant transforming temple traditions, to Shri #UmamaheshwaraVeerabhadreshwara Temple, Shilamatha!#MechanicalElephant #RoboticUmamaheshwara pic.twitter.com/oC5K5tB1Br
PETA India (@PetaIndia) February 23, 2025

Owning a temple elephant soon became a status symbol. Today, renting out an elephant for a temple event can earn owners millions. But this comes at a cost to the animal’s well-being.

Temple elephants often stand for hours in the sun, surrounded by loud music and large crowds. Some are even forced to “dance” during celebrations. A similar video from 2024 showed an elephant seemingly performing Bharatanatyam, but experts identified the movements as stress-induced.

Calls for change as awareness grows
These viral videos have reignited debates about elephant captivity and ethics. Experts warn that captivity, once believed to extend lifespans, has instead harmed elephant health.

“Very few captive elephants live beyond 60 now,” Vijayakrishnan said.

Animal rights group PETA has pushed for alternatives, suggesting mechanical elephants for processions. Some temples in Kerala and Karnataka have already adopted this idea. Musician Anoushka Shankar even pledged to donate a life-size robotic elephant to the Kombara Sreekrishna Swami Temple.

Still, public opinion remains divided. While some social media users highlight the elephant’s distress, others see only the surface-level charm.

One X user wrote, “The elephant whisperers will say it’s a stressed baby.” Another commented, “He’s loving the music — what a dancer!”

Despite expert warnings, real elephants continue to sway in temple courtyards — not to music, but to the silent burden of captivity.