There’s Much More to this Video of a Cute Baby Elephant Blowing Bubbles (VIDEO)

There is nothing more adorable than a video of a baby elephant. Of all the baby animals on the planet, elephants must be the most hilariously goofy ones around. Just take a look at the little one featured above. Clearly, this baby has just discovered that not only can his trunk be used for drinking water, but it can also be used for something much more fun – blowing bubbles!

But let’s take a step back for just a second. It is easy to watch this video and be completely enthralled with this little one, but if you zoom out just a bit something becomes disturbingly clear. This elephant is not a carefree baby learning the ins and outs of life, he is a prisoner living in a zoo.

Tragically, life in zoos is no life at all for elephants and the burden of captivity takes a major toll on these animals physically and mentally. In the wild, elephants can walk up to 30 miles a day and they typically pass their time interacting with their close-knit family. In captivity, elephants spend the majority of their days standing in concrete enclosures, leading them to suffer from arthritis and even obesity. In addition, captive elephants also suffer from skin conditions, tuberculosis, and circulatory issues.

Beyond this, they are also prone to depression and psychological issues due to lack of socialization and boredom. A study of elephants by the AZA found that approximately two-thirds of captive elephants exhibit stereotypic behaviors such as head bobbing, weaving, and swaying. These behaviors are thought to be outward manifestations of the animals’ inner turmoil.

So while this little elephant blowing bubbles might seem cute now, the future that lies in front of him isn’t. Knowing what we do about the intelligence of elephants, there is no excuse for keeping them in captivity. We can all help elephants like this baby by refusing to attend zoos and other facilities that hold wild animals for profit. Together, we can help create a better life for elephants – one where they are allowed to be wild and free.