Young Musician Plumes Uses Pink Guitar to Calm Cows, Elephants, and Endangered Okapis With Song

Social media platforms are increasingly filled with content featuring animals, ranging from hilarious clips to displays of profound intelligence and emotional support. This widespread interest indicates a deep-seated desire for humans to connect with other species. Among the most striking examples of this connection is the work of a young musician known as Plumes (@plumesofficiel).

The Therapeutic Power of Music for Animals

Using a signature pink guitar, Plumes performs exclusively for animal audiences, including horses, cows, elephants, and endangered species like the okapi. His journey began near his grandmother’s village, where he noticed that cows would gather and listen attentively whenever he sang.

Beyond artistic expression, these performances are rooted in the belief that music offers therapeutic benefits, helping animals relax in stressful environments. This unique interaction aims to deepen the bond between humans and nature while raising awareness about animal welfare and the inherent consciousness of all living beings.

The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness

While many are surprised to see animals enjoying music, science has been catching up to these observations for years. A pivotal moment occurred in July 2012 at the University of Cambridge, where a group of esteemed neuroscientists presented the "Declaration on Consciousness."

This landmark document challenged the outdated notion that a neocortex (the outermost layer of the brain in mammals) is a prerequisite for experiencing feelings or possessing consciousness. Key points of the declaration include:

• Neurological Substrates: Many animals possess the neurological hardware necessary for conscious states.
• Affective States: The absence of a neocortex does not prevent an organism from experiencing emotional and sensory states.
• Universal Presence: Consciousness is evident not only in primates but also in birds, octopuses, and other non-human animals.

Audience Reactions

The emotional impact of these quiet musical encounters is also reflected in the reactions of viewers online. Under one video where Plumes plays guitar to a goat and a llama, one viewer wrote that “your videos are a gift in a stressful world. We are all grateful.” In other clips, people describe similar feelings, noting that “when I watch your videos, I’m forgetting all the shadows in today’s world,” while another commented that the videos inspired them to create a personal folder called “joy” filled with Plumes’ performances. These responses highlight how simple moments of connection between humans and animals can resonate deeply with audiences, offering a sense of calm, empathy, and wonder in an otherwise stressful world.

Ethical Implications of Scientific Recognition

The scientific acknowledgment of animal consciousness demands a reevaluation of how animals are treated in various industries, including farming, research, and entertainment. If an organism is scientifically recognized as conscious, it implies a requirement for compassionate treatment and legal protection.

Performances like those of Plumes serve as a visual and auditory reminder of these scientific findings. They suggest that the capacity for appreciation and emotional response is not a uniquely human trait, but a shared biological heritage.

By bridging the gap between artistic expression and the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness, these musical encounters remind us that animals are not merely "reactive" beings, but conscious individuals capable of profound emotional experiences.