A heart-melting video of a baby elephant has gone viral on social media, capturing the attention of animal lovers across platforms. The clip, shared by retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda, features a baby elephant lovingly hugging a man seated on a chair. It has been winning hearts for its sheer cuteness and warmth.
A video of a playful baby elephant hugging a man captured hearts online. (X/@susantananda3)
The original video was posted on Instagram by the account Tusker Shelter, which often documents the playful antics of young elephants. Nanda reshared the video with a caption that read, “Chotu’s hugs are stress busters. Watching them in playful mood can also make your day. Have a nice weekend.”
The gentle giant’s hug melts hearts
In the video, the baby elephant can be seen gently approaching a man who is seated on a chair. What follows is a tender moment as the baby jumbo wraps his trunk and tiny frame around the man in a hug, leaving viewers overwhelmed with joy.
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The video has already garnered more than 15k views and continues to attract warm reactions from users online. The innocence and affection displayed by the elephant has been described by many as a much-needed dose of positivity.
Several users took to the comments to express their delight. One user wrote, "Can I play with Chotu? I heard he needs friends to boss around. I'm more than willing." Another added, "This is so cute." A third said, "OMG, it's so adorable," while someone else joked, "That’s a very strong chair." Another heartfelt comment read, "This video made my day."
Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.
