Saengduean founder of Elephant Nature Park, knows that there are some things in life that don’t happen overnight. Her perseverance and determination to improve the welfare of elephants in Myanmar is testimony to her dedication. Lek has made countless visits to Myanmar over the past two decades to monitor the welfare of the elephant population and has met with government officials, military personnel, mahouts, and villagers to better understand the plight of elephants in the country, and help them gain a wider understanding of the importance of protecting the environment and its native inhabitants. “Lek” Chailert, Myanmar has the largest reserves of elephant habitat in Southeast Asia and plays a key role in protecting the species. As with wild elephant populations throughout Asia, the figures for Myanmar vary greatly. In 2000, the Burma Forest Department reported that there were about 4,000 elephants living in the wild, although more recent studies suggest that this figure may be optimistic. It’s estimated that there are over 5,000 domesticated elephants, with the majority working in the logging industry where they drag felled trees from the jungle to the road or river for transport. Logging is hard and dangerous work and injuries are common. In Myanmar, elephants are also used in tourism, agriculture, and during ceremonies at religious and state functions. Burmese mahouts or ‘oozies’ are thought to be the most skilled in the world and traditionally, elephants are held in high regard by the people.
Save Elephant Foundation Magazine 2022. 45
44 Save Elephant Foundation Magazine 2022.
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