Lek Chailert and Thailand’s abused Elephants
To honour 100 years of animal world day, we’re celebrating the incredible heroes whose dedication has changed lives across the globe. For this feature of the series, we are telling the story of Sangduan Lek Chailert, a woman who has made an amazing stand for Asian Elephants throughout Thailand.
Lek Chailert – One Person, One Big Impact
Sangduan ‘Lek’ Chailert is an elephant activist in Thailand, making the hope of freedom and reformation a possibility for the endangered elephants of Northern Thailand, who are commonly abused for tourism.
Despite being the second largest land mammal, at 335cm tall and weighing in at about 5,200kg.
Lek started her care for elephants when she was young, caring for her own elephant ‘Thong Kham’. But, when she was going through the woods one day, she came upon an elephant being used in ‘the crush’, which is a method of making the elephant obedient for tourism by locking them in a cage and using restraints and punishment so they’re submissive. Since then, her entire life has been about elephants and saving them from torturous methods like this, leading to her nature reserve park being set up.
‘’Every time he pulls a giant log, he is screaming. And when he look[s] at me, the eyes, that screaming noise…” Lek points to her temple. “It is difficult to get that out.’’
LEK’S NATURE RESERVE – PRESERVING THE WORLD’S WILD LIFE.
Lek’s nature park currently houses over 200 elephants, ranging from blind, crippled, orphaned and senior elephants, to the ones that have been rescued from circus shows, street begging and elephant riding. They have all been rescued from a life of near-constant abuse: little food, regular beatings and shocking hygiene, Lek saw that, and decided it had to be changed for the better.
Lek’s sanctuary is currently spread across 250 acres of land fully dedicated to the health and the welfare of the elephants she houses-but it doesn’t stop there. She also houses various animals like water-buffalos, around 500 dogs and cats, rabbits, horses, pigs, goats and mice. Despite the mammoth task of looking after all these animals, Lek is a true jack of all trades and has created an idyllic sanctuary.
TIKIRI – THE ELEPHANT WHO WENT VIRAL FOR THE RIGHT REASONS
There was a particular case that stood out among the many she had helped: an elephant by the name of TIKIRI. She was a female elephant, one of the oldest Asian elephants used in the annual ‘festival of the tooth’. Until Lek stepped in, it is sadly likely that she was being abused. Her horribly frank photographs ended up going viral over social media – with the foundation writing:
“No one sees her bony body or her weakened condition, all because of her costume. No one sees the tears in her eyes, injured by the bright lights that decorate her mask, no one sees her difficulty to step as her legs are shortly shackled while she walks.”
Lek was the one to post these photos to the internet – to recognise Tikiri’s pain and suffering and make a move to change it. Lek has dedicated her entire life to the wellbeing of these beautiful creatures.
Lek is now receiving the recognition she deserves. She has recently been named a ‘Hero of the Planet’, and has featured in the National Geographic, Animal Discovery and the Discovery channels on global television.
Lek’s journey is inspiring. From the beginning to end, people have admired her work ethic and morals. That is why she is one of the heroes of the world to all those she has helped.
Please note: This is a guest blog that solely contains the views and opinions of the author.