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  • Volunteer, Dianna Silva from Portugal, interacts with an elephant at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  She says, "It is my second time coming here.  For me Thailand is the best country."..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 67 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with visitors at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 31 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers enjoy feeding the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 24 .jpg
  • Dianna Sliva from Portugal pets Jokia while Jody Thomas takes her photo at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Jokia gently walks up to volunteer, Dianna Silva from Portugal, who begins petting her trunk.  Silva says, "It's a wonderful story how Mae Perm adopted Jokia when she had no friends.  It is my second time coming here.  For me Thailand is the best country."..Jokia, age 50, was blinded in both eyes from an abusive owner, but her best friend Mae Perm, age 89, acts as her eyes leading her around the park.  ..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 21 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with visitors at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 32 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert feeding baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) and baby girl, Pha Mai (New Sky) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 28 .jpg
  • Volunteer, Dianna Silva from Portugal, washes vegetables in the "elephant kitchen" at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  She says, "It is my second time coming here.  For me Thailand is the best country."..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 61 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 54 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert receives kisses from baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 51 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 48 .jpg
  • The Elephant Medical Center at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 45 .jpg
  • Jody Thomas (right) leads tourists and volunteers on a morning walk at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 22 .jpg
  • Malai Tong, age 25, lost part of her foot to a landmine in Myanmar. Here she grazes with other elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 19 .jpg
  • Carol Buckley (left) and Jody Thomas (right) give an elephant a pedicure at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 09 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers give the elephants a bath at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 05 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers give the elephants a bath at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 03 .jpg
  • After lunch Lek takes time-out to speak to a room full of volunteers and tourists.  She opens by telling the group Elephant Nature Park tries to focus on education which can stop a lot of cruelty.  From the back row a male volunteer, Kingsley Williams from Australia asks, "Is any kind of elephant riding wrong?"  ..Lek responds: "I have to tell you, I don't like it.  But I don't blame people who ride them, because they want the experience, but if they know what is behind the training it is not good.  I can tell you that with elephant trekking in Thailand 100 percent of the elephants go to the traditional training crush.  I'm going to show you this video I filmed across the border in Myanmar, but I warn you, it is very difficult to watch.".  .The video opens with horrendous shrieks from a baby elephant whose feet and neck are chained inside a tight stockade made from wood logs.  Villagers jab at its body with bamboo sticks, some with sharpened spikes on the end to inflict more pain.  [Optional text: Blood drips from the wounds.  The shrieks from the animal continue.  Another villager smashes it across the face with a heavy pole.  Water like tears drip from its eyes.  The elephant continues to resist, but it can't move, and each time the beating gets worse.  At one point a villager's uses one of the spikes to stab deep into its ear canal.]  Several people in the audience begin to cry, some have to leave the room.  This is the traditional training crush, used for centuries to break the will of these highly intelligent creatures, so they will obey and perform for humans.  Elephants can be subject to the crush for 3 days up to one month, depending on how long it takes to destroy their spirit.   ..
    Thailand Lek 74 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 75 .jpg
  • Just before noon, excited volunteers carry huge baskets of food from the "Elephant Kitchen" for feeding time, a favorite time among guests. Yvonne Menn (center) brought her 6-year old daughter Sari (right) from Switzerland to work for a week at the park.  While hand-feeding an elephant with Sari she remarks, "It is not like work all-day.  Volunteering is fun too!"    ..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 70 .jpg
  • Volunteer, Dianna Silva from Portugal, interacts with an elephant at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  She says, "It is my second time coming here.  For me Thailand is the best country."..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 68 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert receives kisses from baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 55 .jpg
  • Tourists in the gift shop at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 26 .jpg
  • Lek Chailert takes time out to pose for photos with vistors at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 27 .jpg
  • Jody Thomas (right) leads tourists and volunteers on a morning walk at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 16 .jpg
  • Carol Buckley (left) and Jody Thomas (right) give an elephant a pedicure at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 10 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers interact with the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 06 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 72 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 53 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby girl, Pha Mai (New Sky) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 38 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 35 .jpg
  • A visitor feeds the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 01 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with a baby bear she rescued at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 77 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers enjoy feeding the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 71 .jpg
  • Volunteer, Dianna Silva from Portugal, interacts with an elephant at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  She says, "It is my second time coming here.  For me Thailand is the best country."..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 69 .jpg
  • Volunteers at the "Elephant Kitchen" at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 63 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 56 .jpg
  • Lek with Hope at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  ..Hope is the most active and mischievous elephant in the park, whom she rescued as a baby.  "I spoiled him.  Now he thinks he is a prince here," she admits.  When Hope first started living at the park he went up to Uncle Mac the tallest elephant in Thailand trying to intimidate him.  Lek says, "Hope thought he was a big boy," but Uncle Mac, twice his size, was not afraid of him. But she explains - everyone at the park must obey Hope.  ..One day a local rafting guide poked Hope with a stick and laughed as he was guiding clients down the river passing through the park.  Lek says Hope never forgot that man.  Hope would allow every rafting guide and their clients to pass with no problem, but every time that man appeared on the river Hope would run and turn his raft over.  She says the man tried shaving his head as a disguise, but ended up having to quit.  Hope always remembered him.   ..However, Lek says, "The vet [veterinarian] is Hope's number one enemy."  One time Hope injured his tusk fighting with an elephant named Jungle Boy.  The vet used a huge painful needle to cure Hope's infection.  Lek laughs as she continues, "A few weeks later the Vet walked past Hope and he felt something hit the back of his head that was very wet.  The vet could feel and smell that it was poop.  Hope just grabbed his poop and threw at the vet.  Then Hope stood their innocently pretending he didn't do it!  The vet turned away and Hope did it again!"  Even today the vet can't go near Hope unless the ground is cleaned up first.   Lek says, "Oh my god.  Hope causes me so much trouble.  He always has to show everybody who is the boss."   .
    Thailand Lek 49 .jpg
  • Lek with Hope at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  ..Hope is the most active and mischievous elephant in the park, whom she rescued as a baby.  "I spoiled him.  Now he thinks he is a prince here," she admits.  When Hope first started living at the park he went up to Uncle Mac the tallest elephant in Thailand trying to intimidate him.  Lek says, "Hope thought he was a big boy," but Uncle Mac, twice his size, was not afraid of him. But she explains - everyone at the park must obey Hope.  ..One day a local rafting guide poked Hope with a stick and laughed as he was guiding clients down the river passing through the park.  Lek says Hope never forgot that man.  Hope would allow every rafting guide and their clients to pass with no problem, but every time that man appeared on the river Hope would run and turn his raft over.  She says the man tried shaving his head as a disguise, but ended up having to quit.  Hope always remembered him.   ..However, Lek says, "The vet [veterinarian] is Hope's number one enemy."  One time Hope injured his tusk fighting with an elephant named Jungle Boy.  The vet used a huge painful needle to cure Hope's infection.  Lek laughs as she continues, "A few weeks later the Vet walked past Hope and he felt something hit the back of his head that was very wet.  The vet could feel and smell that it was poop.  Hope just grabbed his poop and threw at the vet.  Then Hope stood their innocently pretending he didn't do it!  The vet turned away and Hope did it again!"  Even today the vet can't go near Hope unless the ground is cleaned up first.   Lek says, "Oh my god.  Hope causes me so much trouble.  He always has to show everybody who is the boss."   .
    Thailand Lek 46 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby girl, Pha Mai (New Sky) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 40 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert and her partner Darrick Thomson (sitting background) try to weigh the elephants on a platform at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 41 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby girl, Pha Mai (New Sky) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 36 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby girl, Pha Mai (New Sky) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 37 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert feeding baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 29 .jpg
  • Malai Tong, age 25, lost part of her foot to a landmine in Myanmar. Here she grazes with other elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 17 .jpg
  • Thai mahouts (A term meaning driver or keeper of an elephant) monitor the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 11 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers give the elephants a bath at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 04 .jpg
  • Volunteer, Dianna Silva from Portugal, interacts with an elephant at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  She says, "It is my second time coming here.  For me Thailand is the best country."..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 65 .jpg
  • Volunteers clean an elephant pen at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 60 .jpg
  • Volunteer, Kingsley Williams from Australia, given mud bath to an elephant at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 58 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert and her partner Darrick Thomson (sitting background) and park veterinarian (standing behind) try to weigh the elephants on a platform at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 42 .jpg
  • Tourist and volunteers tubing on the river that passes through the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 15 .jpg
  • Thai mahouts (A term meaning driver or keeper of an elephant) monitor the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 12 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers take a break for lunch at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 02 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with a baby bear she rescued.  Lek looks on with Yvonne Menn (left) whom brought her 6-year old daughter Sari (center) from Switzerland to work for a week at the park.  While hand-feeding an elephant with Sari she remarks, "It is not like work all-day.  Volunteering is fun too!"
    Thailand Lek 76 .jpg
  • Volunteer, Dianna Silva from Portugal, interacts with an elephant at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  She says, "It is my second time coming here.  For me Thailand is the best country."..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 66 .jpg
  • Morning jobs for volunteers in Group A cleaning up "Ele Poo" and group B cutting corn at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 62 .jpg
  • Lek with Hope at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  ..Hope is the most active and mischievous elephant in the park, whom she rescued as a baby.  "I spoiled him.  Now he thinks he is a prince here," she admits.  When Hope first started living at the park he went up to Uncle Mac the tallest elephant in Thailand trying to intimidate him.  Lek says, "Hope thought he was a big boy," but Uncle Mac, twice his size, was not afraid of him. But she explains - everyone at the park must obey Hope.  ..One day a local rafting guide poked Hope with a stick and laughed as he was guiding clients down the river passing through the park.  Lek says Hope never forgot that man.  Hope would allow every rafting guide and their clients to pass with no problem, but every time that man appeared on the river Hope would run and turn his raft over.  She says the man tried shaving his head as a disguise, but ended up having to quit.  Hope always remembered him.   ..However, Lek says, "The vet [veterinarian] is Hope's number one enemy."  One time Hope injured his tusk fighting with an elephant named Jungle Boy.  The vet used a huge painful needle to cure Hope's infection.  Lek laughs as she continues, "A few weeks later the Vet walked past Hope and he felt something hit the back of his head that was very wet.  The vet could feel and smell that it was poop.  Hope just grabbed his poop and threw at the vet.  Then Hope stood their innocently pretending he didn't do it!  The vet turned away and Hope did it again!"  Even today the vet can't go near Hope unless the ground is cleaned up first.   Lek says, "Oh my god.  Hope causes me so much trouble.  He always has to show everybody who is the boss."   .
    Thailand Lek 47 .jpg
  • Best friends Mae Perm and Jokia comfort each other at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Jokia, age 50, was blinded in both eyes from an abusive owner, but her best friend Mae Perm, age 89, acts as her eyes leading her around the park.  Jokia gently walks up to volunteer, Dianna Silva from Portugal, who begins petting her trunk.  Silva says, "It's a wonderful story how Mae Perm adopted Jokia when she had no friends.  It is my second time coming here.  For me Thailand is the best country."..Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 20 .jpg
  • After lunch Lek takes time-out to speak to a room full of volunteers and tourists.  She opens by telling the group Elephant Nature Park tries to focus on education which can stop a lot of cruelty.  From the back row a male volunteer, Kingsley Williams from Australia asks, "Is any kind of elephant riding wrong?"  ..Lek responds: "I have to tell you, I don't like it.  But I don't blame people who ride them, because they want the experience, but if they know what is behind the training it is not good.  I can tell you that with elephant trekking in Thailand 100 percent of the elephants go to the traditional training crush.  I'm going to show you this video I filmed across the border in Myanmar, but I warn you, it is very difficult to watch.".  .The video opens with horrendous shrieks from a baby elephant whose feet and neck are chained inside a tight stockade made from wood logs.  Villagers jab at its body with bamboo sticks, some with sharpened spikes on the end to inflict more pain.  [Optional text: Blood drips from the wounds.  The shrieks from the animal continue.  Another villager smashes it across the face with a heavy pole.  Water like tears drip from its eyes.  The elephant continues to resist, but it can't move, and each time the beating gets worse.  At one point a villager's uses one of the spikes to stab deep into its ear canal.]  Several people in the audience begin to cry, some have to leave the room.  This is the traditional training crush, used for centuries to break the will of these highly intelligent creatures, so they will obey and perform for humans.  Elephants can be subject to the crush for 3 days up to one month, depending on how long it takes to destroy their spirit.   ..
    Thailand Lek 73 .jpg
  • Volunteers at the "Elephant Kitchen" at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 64 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 59 .jpg
  • Volunteer, Kingsley Williams from Australia, given mud bath to an elephant at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 57 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert receives kisses from baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 52 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert talks to baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 50 .jpg
  • The park veterinarian (far left) and Lek Chailert look on as Carol Buckley and Jody Thomas give an elephant a pedicure at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 44 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert and her partner Darrick Thomson (sitting background) try to weigh the elephants on a platform at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 43 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert with baby girl, Pha Mai (New Sky) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 39 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 33 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers enjoy feeding the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 25 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers enjoy feeding the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 23 .jpg
  • Malai Tong, age 25, lost part of her foot to a landmine in Myanmar. Here she grazes with other elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 18 .jpg
  • An old logging elephant with an injured leg at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Many logging elephants suffer broken legs when logs roll down on to them from behind.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 13 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers interact with the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 07 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 34 .jpg
  • Sangduen "Lek" Chailert feeding baby boy Chang Yim (Smiling Elephant) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 30 .jpg
  • Tourists and volunteers give the elephants a bath at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 14 .jpg
  • Thai mahouts (A term meaning driver or keeper of an elephant) monitor the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Sangduen "Lek" Chailert founded the park as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.  The park currently has 32 elephants sponsored and supported by volunteers from all over the world.
    Thailand Lek 08 .jpg
  • US Marine Colonel Jeff Haynes, Commanding Officer, 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command, gives pens and note books to children in Tagab Valley during an operation.....To win a counterinsurgency, Haynes says you have to transform the environment and set conditions for change.  If people see there is hope, something worth them risking their lives for, then an army can win.  He says, "You win them over, and they facilitate security pointing out the enemy. It is a symbiotic relationship."  ....
    ANA 33.jpg
  • US Marine Colonel Jeff Haynes, Commanding Officer, 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command, hands pens and note books to children in Tagab Valley during an operation.....To win a counterinsurgency, Haynes says you have to transform the environment and set conditions for change.  If people see there is hope, something worth them risking their lives for, then an army can win.  He says, "You win them over, and they facilitate security pointing out the enemy. It is a symbiotic relationship."  ....
    ANA 32.jpg
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