Mozart and Māori waiata are to be used to calm mistreated Elephants in Thailand.

Waikato University music graduate Niamh Lovelock is putting her music degree to good use, by serenading rescued elephants in a Thai sanctuary.

Photo: World Animal Protection

She has spent the past few months studying musical therapy in animals and is off to Thailand later this year to work with ill-treated elephants.

Niamh is also managing a grant research team that’s funding a charity project.

Her combined passion for conservation and animals lead to her contacting a sanctuary with her idea.

Niamh says there has been positive research into music therapy with animals and she’s ready to learn more about the impact of music on elephants.

Her friend has worked at an elephant sanctuary and has seen the effect of singing on the animals.

“The elephants have been known to run from the other side of the sanctuary when she starts singing, and fall asleep right in front of her,” Niamh says.

Niamh has been busy rehearsing at home, trying out the songs on her cat Pizza, who is engaging with the music.

She has been doing research on types of music to sing, and says Mozart is a strong “mental stimulant”.

Photo: Public Domain

Mozart’s music, she says, is also known for helping not only animals, but babies too.

Traditional Māori waiata will be incorporated to honour her Irish and Māori heritage.

She says she will need to experiment with what songs evoke certain reactions from the elephants.

“It’s like a dream come true for me.”

More information about the Kwan Jai Elephant Foundation can be found here.