Today, during my trip to Thailand, I had the pleasure of meeting a talented elephant named Noppakhan, also known as Peter. This artistic elephant entertained us by drawing and painting. His most recent work was a self-portrait, which he sold for $700. Noppakhan's name means 'nine colors of gemstones,' and he started painting eight years ago when he joined the Asian Elephant Art and Conservation Project (AEACP). Mr. Pipat is Noppakhan's mahout, and they work together to create these beautiful artworks. The main purpose of their art is to raise funds for captive elephants and their caretakers.
Although Noppakhan seems to enjoy painting, I believe that elephants should not be forced to work. If an elephant loves painting and it's a hobby for them, then they should have the freedom to continue. However, they should not be made to work and earn money for others.
For those of us who cannot paint, we can adopt trained elephants. However, it's important to ensure that the caretaker is responsible and supportive during difficult times.
Noppakhan's drawings usually feature an elephant, likely himself, with various items. The one I saw was an elephant holding a beautiful pink flower in its trunk. It was truly a remarkable sight.
No comments:
Post a Comment