Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai

The Asiaan Elephant is Thailand’s National Animal, you can see it everywhere from temples to T-shirts. For an animal embedded so deeply in Thai Culture, you would think they would be respected and protected throughout Thailand. Sadly that isn’t the case. Made to work long, hard hours, used for begging, tortured and beaten into submission, treated poorly, the Asian Elephants are actually in danger. Luckily, they have Lek on their side.

Sangduen “Lek” Chailert was born into a small tribal village in Northern Thailand. She struggled through poverty to obtain a university education, whilst learning about her surrounding nature and organic living from her grandfather. Lek and her family cared for a young elephant when she was a child, and her affection for these magnificant animals grew from there.

Lek began treating injured and sick elephants, and assisting those who could no longer continue working find new homes, often in very remote areas. When she realised the real and sad situation many of these elephants faced, she felt she could do more and offer a better life for them. In 1996 she founded the Elephant Nature Park, not far from the village she grew up in.

Many people come to see and volunteer at the park, and this is the only funding Lek has to support her cause. She had dreams of expanding her reserve into the surrounding lands, especially an area she called “Elephant Heaven”. A beautiful, unspoiled spot in the mountains for the Elephants to visit and relax in. One day she was expressing this to one of her volunteers, who later revealed himself as one Bert von Roemer, the founder of the Serengeti Foundation! He provided the means for Lek to do exactly that, and realising her dream with this amazing reserve.

There are now over 30 elephants at the park, most rescued from abuse, injury, logging camps, trek riding companies and tourism. Many have physical scars, and mental scars that are even harder to heal. Sorry to re-hash the term, but Lek really is an Elephant Whisperer. She believes and proves that love and attention can heal, and has worked miracles with Elephants who initially shy away from all humans after a life of abuse. Traditionally, Mahouts (Elephant Trainers) in Thailand use horriffic and barbaric techniques to “break” the elephants, Lek is trying to show her technique is just as effective in earning trust and none of the Mahouts at the park use anything more than their hands in guiding the elephants.

The elephants are free to roam arround, and while feeding and bathing are usually at the same times, they decide if they want it or not! So when they’ve had enough of the water, get out of their way!

The park speaks for itself in success, the elephants are clearly happy, and many have recovered from severe mental conditions to giving birth and raising other baby elephants. Faa Mai was only 2 months old when i was there and we were able to play with her, right next to her big Mamma! Phet Tae was born only 2 days earlier, but of course was too young for us to be allowed near him, and his family wouldn’t take very kindly to us! (UPDATE! ANOTHER birth on July 12 to Chang Yim!!) All very, very cute!

As a visitor to the park, you spend a full day there watching, feeding and washing the elephants in the river!! While also learning about the park, the elephant’s plight and what you can do to help. They also provide a buffet lunch which is mostly vegan!

Unfortunately you can’t book with many of the local agencies, they may even deny the place exists or its reputation!! This is because they profit from the companies that abuse the elephants, like elephant “treking”. When you realise what those elephants go through, you won’t want to book with them! I’ve also heard bad reports from everyone who has been on one.

Your best bet is to book at A Taste From Heaven Vegetarian restaurant, a great veggie haunt run by Lek’s sister near the East Gate in Chiang Mai, 237-239 Tapae Road, for around 2000 Baht and you get a free meal!

Or go directly to their website for more info and booking.

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