Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary for rescued elephants, situated in the Mae Taeng valley, near Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. The founder of park, Sangduen Chailert, better known as Lek, is an award winning conservationist who for decades has been fighting for the rights of the Asian elephant. There are currently over 30 elephants living at the park, together with many dogs, cats, cows and water buffalo that Lek has saved over the years.
Many of the elephants at Elephant Nature Park arrived with permanent disabilities and psychological scars sustained while working in harsh conditions. The park is a sanctuary where these elephants can live and interact naturally in relative freedom amongst true animal lovers and without being made to work. Here they can form bonds with each other and enjoy a healthy social life. The park is also home to a new generation of young elephants that have never experienced phajaan, a brutal ritual where young elephants are taken from their mothers, placed in a cage, beaten and antagonized until their spirit is broken and they come to accept man as their master in a relationship based on fear. At the park these young elephants are being taught with love and food rewards instead of pain.
As well as providing a safe haven for elephants and other animals, Elephant Nature Park works to educate people about the plight of the endangered Asian elephant and advocate their rights.
Lek’s work has received international acclaim, including documentaries made by National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet, and the BBC. She has also been written about in newspapers and magazines around the world. In 2001 Lek was named ‘Hero of the Planet’ by the Ford Foundation in association with National Geographic. Lek was also recognized by the American Humane Society with the Genesis Award in 2003 and in 2005 Time Magazine named her a ‘Hero of Asia’ for her work in conservation and elephant protection.
Elephants - Living in Sanctuary, presents over 200 photographs taken by Lek over the past 6 years, capturing the playful, often comical antics of the elephants at the park as well as showing the extraordinary relationships that exist between them. Her photographs reveal a fascinating world where the intelligence, complexity, tenderness, and sense of humour of elephants are abundantly apparent. Captions accompany the photos and chronicle the lives of many of the elephants and their journey to the park, where often for the first time they experience kindness from humans and are able to interact naturally.
It is hoped that the book will give some insight into the remarkable nature of these majestic animals and that people will come to empathise with their plight in a modern world. The Asian elephant is an endangered species, and one whose life in captivity is often one of unnecessary suffering.
The book was put together by Kristin and written by Scott. It is a hardcover book, that measures 9 x 9 inches, professionally printed on gloss paper and bound by Thailand’s largest printing company. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this book please contact us at info@sabaidesignsgallery.com. The proceeds from the sale of this book will help to support Elephant Nature Park. Below are a selection of Lek's photographs that appear in the book.
Photographs © by Sangduen Chailert 2007, All rights reserved
These photographs may not be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from Sangduen Chailert.