Elephants have been observed ‘engaging in same-sex bonding’ in Sri Lanka (Getty)
Gay elephants have been observed ‘engaging in same-sex bonding’ and ‘mounting’ by wildlife officers in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Engaging in same-sex bonding is undoubtedly a highlight of the human experience – but as it turns out, the activity is not limited to those of us with opposable thumbs..
Spreading the LGBTQ+ agenda across the animal kingdom are gay whales, gay penguins, gay sheep, gay flamingos and now, please welcome to the stage: gay elephants!
As reported by English language Sri Lankan publication the Daily Mirror, wildlife officers say that “homosexual behaviour is observed among wild elephants, with male elephants frequently engaging in same-sex bonding and mounting.”
The newspaper, which is based in the country’s capital city of Colombo, reports that this behaviour was seen as a “natural part of elephant social behaviour” in the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks of Sri Lanka – “particularly during months when food and water are available”.
The report also notes that “male elephants with physical strength often win over females for mating, leaving out weak bulls who opt for homosexual behaviour” – which we can’t imagine the gay elephants are really that fussed about.
A recent post to X by Tamil Nadu Geography (@TNGeography) also shows a clip of two male elephants “showing affection” near the city of Gudalur in the southern region of India.
Two male elephants are showing affection near Gudalur in the Nilgiris dt of Tamil Nadu. 🐘. Elephants have good memory, can remember their friends & family for life. pic.twitter.com/SjJ9kFyFvr
— Tamil Nadu Geography (@TNGeography) August 18, 2025
Elephants ‘hold hands’ by intertwining their trunks, and groom each other to show affection. ‘Relationships’ between elephants – gay or straight – may last for many years.
Despite the apparent freedom of expression exhibited by Sri Lanka’s gay elephants, it is still illegal to be gay in the country.
In 2023, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court finally gave the green light to decriminalising homosexuality, but the bill has still not yet passed.
In 2022, president Ranil Wickremesinghe said his government would not oppose the bill from MP Premnath C Dolawatte, which was initially submitted the month before.
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