Asian elephants have always been hard workers. For centuries they worked in the jungles of Thailand helping to cut down the forests. But, when people in Thailand became aware of the loss of habitat caused by cutting down the trees, they stopped clearing the forests and the elephants lost their jobs. They started to die out.
Some artists from New York decided to help the elephants by teaching them to paint. When the teacher says "touch" the elephants drag their brush over the paper. Some like to dab. Others like to spray the teacher with water and run off. Their artwork is sold and the money is used to take care of the elephants.
