Is this cruel? (Swimming/Underwater Elephant photo)

sc_rufctr · 01-10-2022, 08:47 PM

I shared this on Faceplant and got lots of positive comments however one of friends posted this... "No way - inhumane!!"

I get were she's coming from but the people that train these elephants love them like their own children. I don't think they would do something like this if the elephant was distressed by it. But we can't really know for sure however I see no sign of distress in this photo. If I did I wouldn't have shared it.

They way I see it: These animals would have little to no value if they couldn't show them which also means they couldn't afford to keep and feed them.

Thoughts?

look 171 · 01-10-2022, 08:53 PM

Think of it this way. If you were pay to go for a swim and see a room full of people, would you like to go up and see what in there for yourself? Oh of course, that's cruel, "Look at him all strapped up with them big underwater glasses and long fins on his feet making it unnatural for such animal to move around. "

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Well, what do you think the snorkel is made for?

PorscheGAL · PorscheGAL's Garage

I'm pretty sure that elephant is choosing to be underwater.

livi · 01-11-2022, 02:50 AM

Inhumane. Toward an elephant? If the elephant is human it can probably speak for itself.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

They are pretty smart animals that hold long grudges.
IF they thought it was inhumane, they would squash a human to make that point

Considering how heavy they are.. they probably love the water as it makes em buoyant and reduces stress on their joints.

Sooner or later · 01-11-2022, 03:12 AM

Just keep swimming. If they get tired after walking up to eighty miles in a day, elephants can easily hop in the water and swim! Like most other mammals, elephants are natural-born swimmers. They can swim completely submerged underwater, using their trunks to breathe. Because of this built-in snorkel, elephants can swim for hours without stopping. If they do get tired, the elephants’ massive bodies allow them to easily float and rest—it’s nearly impossible for them to drown!

LWJ · 01-11-2022, 03:14 AM

I see an elephant having fun.

I also see humans enjoying watching the elephant.

Seems a win-win.

Tell your friend to lighten up.

Sooner or later · 01-11-2022, 03:25 AM

The swimming and underwater part is not a problem.

Some people have concern over having large animals in a zoo situation. They believe they are far better off in the wild.

I believe there is a trade off involved. If they have room to roam while in captivity they are an asset that teaches people the beauty of wildlife which leads to protection of those still in the wild.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

If you cannot have animals in zoos, you cannot have conservation and breeding programs either.
you won't have vets capable and trained to work with these animals, no research, no desease control, and the only thing we'll have is the animals in the wild under more and more pressure of development, hunting, poaching and extinction

And you know, the only thing inhumane, is that there are so many humans putting so much pressure on the planet and all the other species.

So either put up or shut up at that point.. Cull the humans to acceptable levels.
Now obviously I don't vote killing, since killing has always shown to be a poor way of controlling pest population.. killing em makes pest breed faster.

Neuter and Spay the bastards, stop the procreation process and leave the feral little chits in place till they die out on their own
I've done my part, no operation needed, I've been scared of knocking up a broad since I was 13 since my own mother got knocked up at 17 and has never let a chance pass to tell me as a kid how much trouble it was raising me as a single mother (lies lies lies)
So in any case, I'm not spreading any offspring so it's not my fault nor my problem ! The world will keep turning after me, and nature in some form or another will be here long after humankind is wiped off the planet

David · David's Garage

Sooner or later · 01-11-2022, 04:11 AM

Lol, that was great!

masraum · 01-11-2022, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

JJ is a funny guy! (and absolutely perfect since he speaks the same language as Peter and likely most of his faceplant pals).

Peter, you definitely need to post that video clip to your faceplant! You're friend will love it AND see the error of her ways.

Eric 951 · 01-11-2022, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I shared this on Faceplant and got lots of positive comments however one of friends posted this... "No way - inhumane!!"

unfriend that person. problem solved

John Rogers · 01-11-2022, 04:36 AM

Having an elephant go swimming is nothing really. When I was in Thailand back in 1978 or so I rode my bicycle from the Navy base at Sattahip up to the beach. While riding along I heard a huge crashing noise off to my left so I stopped and what do I see but elephants falling trees with their heads! They sure looked like they were having a good time.
John

sc_rufctr · 01-11-2022, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I can only see this from Aus. What's the title of the video? I could search from this end.

drcoastline · 01-11-2022, 04:54 AM

Elephants regulalry swim in nature and I am pretty sure go under water for periods of time. So I say no not inhumane. It is not as if they are making the elephant do something un-natural. Like the diving horse at Steel pier or even lions and tigers in a circus. Assuming the animals are not improperly treated even then I am not so sure that is inhumane?

masraum · 01-11-2022, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I can only see this from Aus. What's the title of the video? I could search from this end.

It's a Jim Jeffries monologue from the Jim Jeffries Show called "shut up. zoos are good."

sc_rufctr · 01-11-2022, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

It's a Jim Jeffries monologue from the Jim Jeffries Show called "shut up. zoos are good."

Thanks Steve. I found this: https://youtu.be/ocybkdxDI-g

Seahawk · 01-11-2022, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric 951

unfriend that person. problem solved

No kidding. It takes less than a minute to get reliable data on the Big E and swimming:

https://zoologyexpert.com/can-elephants-swim/

Elephants are the largest land mammal and they are the only mammals that can’t jump. So, with this assumption that they are one of the heaviest animals on this planet, it is hard to think that they can swim. But the fact is different.

Just like babies, they also love to play in the water. Their babies climb on the back of their elders and splash water on each other. They do not feel shy to hop into the water after a long and tiring journey and refreshing themselves. Isn’t it seems as they have a relationship with water? Well, yes, they have.

They are naturally born swimmers. Not only they can swim but also swim for hours. Yes, for hours. Now you will be curious to know how this can happen.