As a young adult, Lek spent much of her time helping animals, often taking breaks in between her studies at Chiang Mai Rajabhat University to head into the surrounding jungles to provide natural medical care to elephants in need. During this time she witnessed first-hand the plight of Asian elephants. It was then that she knew she had to dedicate her life to helping them. In 1992, she rescued her first elephant, Mae Perm. Then, in 2003, Lek received a large donation of land, which became Elephant Nature Park. Today, she is the founder of Save Elephant Foundation which supports Elephant Nature Park, Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia, Elephant Sanctuary Laos, Jumbo Express, Thailand Cares, SEF Myanmar and more.
Saengduean Chailert, better known as Lek, comes from the Khmu hill tribe in Northern Thailand. As a young girl, she made a connection with animals and the environment, thanks to her grandfather, who was the village shaman. The two would regularly venture into the jungle where she would learn about natural medicine and gain a healthy respect and knowledge, not only for the jungle inhabitants, but also the plant kingdom. It was early in her life when Lek met her first elephant, Thong Kham, whose name means Golden One. Her grandfather was given the elephant in return for saving the life of a young man. This sparked a love and respect for elephants that was to shape the course of her life.
Lek continues to be at the forefront of elephant rights, raising international awareness, and encouraging other countries in the region to follow her lead. She has received widespread recognition for her work, including the Ford Foundation’s Hero of the Planet in 2001, and guest of honor at the Humane Society of the United States of America’s Genesis Awards in 2003. In 2005, she was honored as one of TIME Magazine’s Heroes of Asia, and one of six Women Heroes of Global Conservation in 2010 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In 2017, Lek was invited by President Macron of France to join the Global Pact for the Environment summit at the United Nations in New York.
About The Founder
Save Elephant Foundation Magazine 2022. 03
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