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  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 40 .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
  • 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 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
  • 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 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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 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
  • 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 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Lia Pao Yang, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 27, 2006.  His message to the world,  "I am Lia Pao Yang.  I am twenty years of age this year.  I want to assure you that I have not shot at anybody nor had I committed any crime, or stolen anything, but the cruel communist Lao had targeted to kill me.  On the 23rd of September, 2001 the communist Lao set a landmine on my farm of cassava so I stepped on it and lost my leg.  Along with that, in 2002 when my family relocated to Black Mountain (Pha Lai), the communist troops fired mortar at my family killing my wife and son.  We are innocent civilians.  We have not done anything wrong to the communist but have been targeted by them.  Please come to rescue us."..**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**.The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN.  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..
    Laos JungleHmong 13.jpg
  • Soldiers rest in their abandoned village, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 2, 2006...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland and rescuing US pilots.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN....
    Laos JungleHmong 8.jpg
  • Hmong soldiers camped in the remote jungle, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 26, 2006. ..**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland and rescuing US pilots.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN....
    Laos JungleHmong 10.jpg
  • A young boy stands guard in the jungle while his group rests, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 30, 2006...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland and rescuing US pilots.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN....
    Laos JungleHmong 1.jpg
  • Hua Li and Hmong soldiers cut through the jungle on their way to the site of the April 6th massacre, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 30, 2006...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland and rescuing US pilots.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN....
    Laos JungleHmong 18.jpg
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