This Baby Elephant Needs Some Help With His Shoes

Children have to be taught everything, from how to chew their food and brush their teeth to how to put on and tie their shoes. Apparently, baby elephants aren’t any different. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute, elephants don’t wear shoes.” That’s technically true, but someone forgot to tell Thong Ae, a baby elephant at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He is determined to wear his caretaker’s sandal. Obviously he runs into some trouble, and it couldn’t be cuter.

After trying futilely to keep his shoe away from Thong Ae, the caretaker seems to give in and let her have it. She struggles to put it on her foot, even picking it up with her trunk a few times and tossing it around. It eventually ends up on her head before falling into a puddle of water, seemingly forgotten.

Or so we thought! She continues to kick the sandal around and tries to pick it up again and again. Unsurprisingly, she doesn’t quite master the art of putting this comparably tiny shoe on, but you have to admire her persistence! Check out the video below.

Run by the Save Elephant Foundation, Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in Northern Thailand where visitors can volunteer or just visit. According to their website, they’ve helped rescue dozens of elephants, helping to create their “thriving” elephant herd. In addition to elephants, the park also is home to dogs, cats, buffalo, and other animals.

Make sure you SHARE this hilarious video with any friends who love wildlife or need a little pick-me-up!

*Bonus Video*

Need some more baby elephants in your life? Check out this sweet pachyderm giving her caretaker a hug!