That’s right, an orchestra made up entirely of elephants!

They play on enormous specially designed musical instruments conducted by elephant conservationist Richard Lair of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center and the American composer/performer Dave Soldier. They have released two CDs which you can purchase on their website and the funds go towards elephant conservation in Thailand. Techno versions of the new tracks are planned, along with others with a Country and Western flavour.

Somneuk & Four Elephants
Ganesha Triumphant
Temple Music

“When you hear the elephant music you’re hearing what they mean to make. I think it allows you to understand them in a different way than you could otherwise.”
~ Dave Soldier

Here’s a great clip showing a 3-piece band. The elephants look sooo excited and happy making music… it’s wonderful to watch. And here’s another video shot by SBS in Australia. And this BBC interview is what got me really interested.

There are more videos, mp3s and interviews on the Thai Elephant Orchestra website.

A century ago there were more than 100,000 working in the timber industry or roaming in the forests. Today there are just 2,500 in captivity and even fewer in the wild. Deforestation and the banning of logging have removed the elephants’ chief source of employment, while over the years hunters have decimated the population.
This beautiful National Geographic documentary shows you exactly the problems conservationists face. Buying a CD — maybe as a gift for someone you know who loves elephants — will enable the amazing people at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center to help the remaining few.