WORLD NEWS
February 25, 2005
Talented Trunks!
Eight elephants team up in Thailand to create the largest painting ever made by the mammals
 Elephants paint during their record attempt. |
A team of eight elephants in Thailand may have broken the world record for the most expensive painting ever made by pachyderms. They created the work of art using their trunks and plenty of natural artistic ability.
 |  Elephants pose for group photo next to their painting. |
The Making of a Masterpiece
The elephants’ painting is an abstract work of art that shows a scene in northern Thailand. It is called “Cold Wing, Swirling Mist, Charming Lanna.” It is about 8 feet by 26 feet and was painted on a canvas. The canvas was propped upright so that the elephants, working in groups of two or three, could easily paint standing up.
To create their masterpiece, the elephants held the paintbrushes in their trunks and guided their brushes along the canvas. They were aided by trainers and two human artists. They also got a little help picking out colors.
A Rich Work of Art
A Thai woman, who now lives in the U.S., purchased the painting for about $39,000. She said she bought the painting because she loves elephants. The money from the painting will help an elephant sanctuary, or conservation center. Organizers say it’s "the most expensive painting by a group of elephants."
Elephants in Thailand have been painting since 1998, but none of their paintings have ever been this large. In the U.S., elephants have been painting in zoos since the 1980s.
