Why do elephants sway back and forth? Understanding Signs of Stress
If you've ever visited a zoo or elephant camp, you may have seen an elephant standing still, gently swaying back and forth or bobbing their head up and down. At first glance, it might seem peaceful, even meditative. Some facilities even market this motion as a “dance” or a sign of joy.
But the truth behind this behavior is far more troubling.
The myth that swaying is a sign of contentment has been perpetuated by exploitative tourist venues and some captive environments as a way to mask the psychological distress these animals endure. In reality, repetitive movements like swaying or head bobbing are known as stereotypic behaviors, which are physical responses to chronic stress, boredom, or trauma. They occur when an animal’s environment fails to meet its basic physical, emotional, or social needs.
Stereotypy (noun): the persistent repetition of an act, especially by an animal, for no obvious purpose.
Video taken by Danielle Carnahan, 2023
Is Swaying Normal for Elephants?
In short: no.
In the wild, elephants are constantly on the move, traveling up to 30 miles a day. Some studies, like those from the Tsavo Trust in Kenya, have recorded herds covering over 120 miles in a single day. These movements are essential to their well-being, as they forage, bathe, explore, and engage with complex social groups. Their lives are full of choice, freedom, and environmental stimulation.
Swaying, by contrast, serves no practical function in the wild. It doesn’t assist with foraging, migration, communication, or bonding. It is considered an abnormal behavior—one that arises almost exclusively in captive settings.
As renowned elephant behaviorist Dr. Joyce Poole explains:
“Stereotypic behaviors in elephants are an indication that their environment is impoverished and that they are suffering.”
When we observe repetitive behaviors like swaying or bobbing of the head, especially in elephants confined to small spaces, chained, or lacking social interaction, it’s a clear indicator of chronic psychological distress.
Why Do Captive Elephants Sway?
Swaying is a learned coping mechanism similar to how a person might fidget, bite their nails, or pace when anxious. While it may momentarily soothe the body, it doesn’t address the root cause of the stress. Over time, this self-soothing motion becomes ingrained, often beginning in early life.
Many captive elephants begin exhibiting stereotypic behaviors as young calves after enduring traumatic experiences: being torn from their mothers, subjected to harsh training, or forced into close contact with humans. These early experiences set the stage for long-term behavioral responses that often persist into adulthood.
The below video shows an example of how these swaying behaviors begin forming in a young elephant. You can see this calf struggling to reach his mother to nurse. As he continues to struggle, he begins rocking forward and backward. This is the beginning of that movement becoming a way to cope with the inability to reach what he desires. As he gets older, the thing he desires will no longer be his mother, but food, freedom, socialization, etc.
Video taken by Danielle Carnahan, 2021
Common causes of swaying in elephants include:
Lack of mental stimulation or enrichment
Restricted movement or physical confinement (including chaining)
Lack of social interaction with other elephants
Exposure to trauma, primarily through training methods like phajaan (the brutal "crush" process used in some elephant tourism to break their spirits)
Boredom and sensory deprivation
Loss of autonomy and inability to express natural behaviors
As the late Dr. Cynthia Moss observed:
"Elephants in the wild do not sway—this is a behavior born of frustration, anxiety, and deprivation."
This coping mechanism, once developed, is deeply embedded. Even when conditions improve, the behavior may not fully disappear.
What Stereotypy Tells Us About an Elephant’s Well-Being
If you see an elephant that is kept alone, confined to a small, barren enclosure, or rhythmically swaying for extended periods without external stimulation, it is likely a sign of unresolved psychological trauma. Chaining, confinement, and the inability to move freely or interact with their environment can lead to emotional distress and, eventually, stereotypic behaviors. This is not merely anecdotal, research into elephant cognition has revealed that elephants experience complex emotions, long-term memory, and even post-traumatic stress.
These behaviors reflect a nervous system that has been repeatedly pushed into survival mode. Swaying becomes a deeply ingrained response to a lifetime of deprivation and trauma. To explore this further, read our case study on complex PTSD in captive elephants by Danielle Carnahan.
A Case Study: Tourist Camps vs. Sanctuaries
In many elephant camps across Thailand, Nepal, and India, elephants spend their days giving rides or performing in shows. When not “working,” they are often chained in place, left standing in the same spot for hours. Whether born in captivity or taken from the wild, these elephants typically undergo phajaan, a violent and fear-based training process designed to break their spirit and force compliance.
By contrast, when elephants are rescued and relocated to ethical sanctuaries, their daily lives change dramatically. They’re given space to roam, time to rest, the freedom to make choices, and the opportunity to form social bonds with other elephants. These improved conditions often lead to a gradual decrease in stereotypic behaviors like swaying.
However, even in the most compassionate environments, the psychological scars don’t always disappear. In our study on complex PTSD in captive elephants, we found that while swaying can diminish over time, some individuals may continue to exhibit the behavior, especially during times of stress or transition. Their nervous systems have been shaped by years, often decades, of trauma, and healing is rarely linear.
It’s important to understand that the presence of swaying in a sanctuary setting does not automatically indicate poor welfare. Rather, it can reflect the elephant’s long history of psychological survival. Even at reputable, hands-off facilities, these behaviors may persist as part of the elephant’s coping repertoire.
Healing Takes Time
Elephants, much like humans, have intricate nervous systems. Transitioning to sanctuary life is a major shift that requires time to adapt. Healing isn’t a simple before-and-after, it’s a slow process that varies greatly between individuals. As the elephant’s sense of safety grows and their environment becomes more consistent and enriching, behaviors like swaying often lessen. But they may never go away entirely—and that’s okay.
What matters more is how the facility supports the elephants’ recovery. A good sanctuary will be transparent about each elephant’s background, offer consistent enrichment, foster social opportunities, and provide autonomy wherever possible. Caretakers at ethical facilities observe behavior closely, not as something to suppress, but as a communication tool to better understand what the elephant needs.
If you’re ever unsure whether a sanctuary is ethical, ask questions. Reputable organizations are happy to share details about the elephants in their care, from medical histories and daily routines to long-term behavioral goals.
Why This Matters
Understanding swaying behavior allows us to see what exploitative environments often try to hide. It’s a symptom of a life marked by confinement, trauma, and loss of agency.
When we see an elephant swaying, it may mean they’ve been denied movement, deprived of social bonds, and forced into unnatural routines. It often signals years of emotional and sensory deprivation. These aren’t minor concerns, they are evidence of a deeper failure to honor elephants for the intelligent, emotionally complex beings they are.
By learning to identify the signs of psychological stress in elephants, we become more informed advocates. We can challenge harmful narratives, avoid supporting abusive attractions, and help elevate sanctuaries that prioritize healing, autonomy, and dignity. The goal isn’t just to stop the swaying, it’s to create a world where elephants never have to start swaying in the first place.
At The Call to Conserve, we advocate for the end of exploitative elephant tourism and the creation of systems that honor elephants' freedom and emotional well-being. You can join us in advocating for elephant welfare in a few simple ways.
What You Can Do to help captive elephants
❌ Avoid:
Any facility that promises close contact with their elephants, including riding, bathing, or "trick" performances
Venues that rely on chaining their elephants for a large portion of the day or keep them in small, barren enclosures
Zoos or camps where animals are in prolonged isolation or lack social stimulation
✅ Support:
Ethical sanctuaries where elephants are free to roam, socialize, and make choices
Conservation efforts focused on protecting wild elephant populations and habitats
Organizations that prioritize both animal and human welfare in their work
If you've seen an elephant sway and weren't sure what it meant, you're not alone. The more we understand elephant behavior, the better we can advocate for their freedom.
📢 Share this knowledge:
By understanding what stereotypy means and helping others recognize it in captive settings, we can shift public opinion and pressure exploitative facilities to work towards improved animal welfare.
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🐘 Learn more about some of the ethical elephant sanctuaries around Asia here: