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Lek Chailert

@lek_chailert

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Founder of Save Elephant Foundation
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Gentle eyes #faamail taken in Elephant Nature Park, Chaing Mai by @lek_chailert

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24 minutes ago

For most people, Sunday is a day to rest.

But for us, it is another opportunity to bring happiness to the animals in our care.

Today, our team spent the day creating new toys and enrichment activities for the monkeys.

The moment we finished, some rushed over to investigate, while others eagerly climbed, played, and explored their new toys.

Watching their excitement and curiosity brought smiles to all our faces.

Their happiness becomes our happiness, too.

These monkeys are among more than 100 individuals receiving care through a collaborative project between Save Elephant Foundation and Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

Following the signing of our MOU, we have been working together to improve their welfare through suitable living environments, nutritious food, enrichment activities, sterilization programs, and regular veterinary care.

But caring for monkeys means much more than providing food and shelter.

Monkeys are intelligent, curious, and deeply social animals.

They need opportunities to climb, explore, play, make choices, and build relationships with others.

Every animal deserves more than simply being kept alive. They deserve a life worth living.

Whenever I visit these monkeys, I can spend hours watching them play, groom one another, and enjoy their daily lives.

Their simple happiness reminds me why we do this work.

My heartfelt thanks to the Department of National Parks, our veterinarians, caregivers, volunteers, and everyone who dedicates their time to improving these precious lives.

Especially those who willingly give up their Sunday to create something wonderful for the monkeys.

Our work is not always easy. Some days are long and exhausting.

But seeing the animals happy makes every effort worthwhile.

This Sunday, we may not have taken a day off.

But we spent our day creating happiness for other lives.

And sometimes, the most beautiful way to find happiness is to give happiness to someone else.
#monkey #rescue #wildlife taken in Elephant Nature Park, Chaing Mai by @lek_chailert

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an hour ago

True Love Is Proven Through Actions, Not Words

True love is not measured by beautiful words or promises. It is revealed through our actions, the care we show, and the trust we build with one another.

Love does not always need to be expressed in words. Sometimes, even the smallest gesture can convey feelings more deeply than a thousand words ever could.

So, if anyone were to ask me,

“How much do you love elephants, and do they love you in return?”

I would not need to say very much.

Because this picture is the most beautiful answer I could ever give.
#elephant #éléphant taken in Elephant Nature Park, Chaing Mai by @lek_chailert

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a day ago

Samui Elephant Sanctuary, owned by Mr. Wittaya Salangam, donated THB 200,000 to support the @saveelephantfoundation and @lek_chailert in their ongoing efforts to protect and care for elephants.

It is a joy to show our support in this way. We thank you for the work you do to save elephants' lives and the inspiration you offer organisations like our own, each and every day 🙏🌍🐘

#samuielephantsanctuary #saveelephantfoundation #elephant #thailand #sanctuary taken in Save Elephant Foundation by @lek_chailert

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a day ago

EVERY LIFE DESERVES A CHANCE AT HAPPINESS — EVEN WITH A DISABILITY 🐕

At Save Elephant Foundation, our compassion extends far beyond elephants.

Today, we care for more than 1,000 rescued dogs, including over 50 dogs living with disabilities.

Each has a heartbreaking story.

Some were struck by vehicles. Others were beaten, abused, or abandoned. Many were not born disabled but lost their mobility through accidents or human cruelty.

What breaks my heart most is that some were abandoned by the very people they once trusted, simply because they could no longer walk.

But a disability should never make a life less valuable or less deserving of love.

At our sanctuary, we provide wheelchairs to help these special dogs move, explore, and enjoy life again.

Seeing them running happily in their wheelchairs, their tails wagging with excitement, reminds me that happiness is still possible, even after so much suffering.

And today, we have another wonderful opportunity to improve their lives.

A new hydrotherapy swimming pool for dogs with disabilities.

This beautiful gift was made possible through the extraordinary kindness of Madame Noelle Weiss from France, who generously supported its construction.

Under careful supervision, hydrotherapy can help suitable dogs strengthen their muscles, improve mobility, and enjoy greater comfort and independence.

Not every dog will walk again.

But every dog deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, comfort, and happiness.

We cannot change their painful past.

We cannot erase the suffering they endured.

But we can make the rest of their lives more beautiful than the years they have left behind.

My heartfelt gratitude to Madame Noelle Weiss for giving these precious lives another chance, and to our dedicated caregivers and volunteers who surround them with love every day.

Because the value of a life is never measured by the perfection of its body.

A dog who cannot walk can still feel love.

A dog with a disability can still experience joy.

And a dog who was once abandoned can still find a family who will never give up on them.

Their bodies may be different, but their right to happiness remains the same. 🐕
#dog taken in Elephant Nature Park, Chaing Mai by @lek_chailert

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2 days ago

FROM CHAINS TO FREEDOM — A NEW BEGINNING FOR SUMATRAN ELEPHANTS

Removing the saddle from an elephant’s back may end elephant riding.

But removing the chains and restoring freedom is where a new life truly begins.

Under President Prabowo Subianto, the Indonesian government is moving forward with a policy to end elephant riding at conservation facilities nationwide.

For decades, many Sumatran elephants have been used for riding, performances, and tourism. Some spent years in chains, separated from other elephants and unable to live naturally.

But ending riding alone is not enough.

True freedom means being able to walk, choose, form friendships, play, and live as an elephant.

My Elephant Nature Park team and I are deeply honored to work alongside Indonesian officials and mahouts to help make this transformation possible.

Together, we are sharing our experience in compassionate, chain-free elephant care, building trust, and gradually helping elephants reconnect with one another.

Every elephant has a different past. Some have lived with fear and isolation for years. Helping them adjust to freedom requires patience, understanding, and respect for their individual needs.

Today, seeing these elephants exploring their surroundings, playing in water, and beginning to form friendships fills my heart with happiness.

They no longer need to perform tricks or carry tourists to prove their worth.

Elephants are valuable simply because they are elephants.

My heartfelt thanks to the Indonesian government, the dedicated officials and mahouts, and our Elephant Nature Park team for their commitment to this important journey.

There is still much work ahead, but I hope Indonesia’s progress will inspire positive change for elephants throughout Asia.

We do not need to ride elephants to appreciate their beauty.

We are not teaching elephants how to be elephants.

We are simply giving them back the opportunity to live as elephants were always meant to live. taken in Way Kambas National Park by @lek_chailert

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3 days ago

There is nothing more pure than an elephant’s love and trust for the person who saved her.

@lek_chailert and Thong Ae ❤️

#TrunksUp
#ElephantNaturePark
#SaveElephantFoundation
#ElephantRescue
#Thailand taken in Elephant Nature Park, Thailand by @lek_chailert

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4 days ago

THE TRUE BEAUTY OF ELEPHANTS LIES IN THEIR FREEDOM

Elephants are at their most beautiful and majestic when they are free to move, choose their own paths, and live according to their natural instincts.

Meet Nam Phueng and Thung Thong, two beautiful female elephants we rescued from Surin Province, Thailand.

Today, they enjoy wandering together through the open grasslands of Elephant Nature Park, walking side by side in freedom.

These two share an extraordinary friendship. They are rarely apart, always looking after one another.

One of the most touching moments is watching them rest.

Whenever one lies down to sleep, the other remains standing nearby, quietly watching over her friend until she wakes up.

Such a simple gesture, yet filled with so much love, trust, and tenderness.

Elephants are deeply social animals. They form meaningful friendships and lasting bonds, just as we do.

Every time I watch Nam Phueng and Thung Thong walking happily together, my heart fills with gratitude.

They no longer have to follow someone else’s commands.

They can choose where to walk, when to rest, and how to spend their days together.

Because true freedom is not simply the absence of chains. It is the freedom to choose how to live.

We did not give these elephants their beauty.

Their beauty has always been there.

We simply helped give them back the freedom to express it.

And nothing brings me greater happiness than seeing these two beautiful souls living peacefully, safely, and surrounded by love.

May Nam Phueng and Thung Thong continue walking side by side, sharing their freedom and friendship for many wonderful years to come. taken in Elephant Nature Park, Chaing Mai by @lek_chailert

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4 days ago

The beauty of an elephant family, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of Elephant Nature Park.

This lovely little herd consists of Mae Mai, Bai Teay, and Wan Mai.

Watching them live peacefully together, surrounded by majestic mountains and the beauty of nature, is one of the sights that always brings joy to my heart.

This is the beauty of elephants living together as a family, in peace and harmony.
@elephantnaturepark taken in Elephant Nature Park, Chaing Mai by @lek_chailert

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6 days ago

Another country in Asia is taking an important step toward improving the lives of both captive and wild elephants.

That country is Nepal.

These photographs capture a deeply meaningful moment for me and the Save Elephant Foundation.

I was honored to represent our foundation in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the participation of Honorable Minister Geeta Chaudhari, Nepal’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and in cooperation with relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

This agreement establishes a framework for working together to improve elephant welfare, strengthen protection for wild elephants, and promote more compassionate standards of care.

Before signing, my team and I visited Nepal to meet government representatives, observe elephants living under human care, and better understand the challenges facing wild elephants and their habitats.

I have always believed that lasting change begins with understanding, compassion, and cooperation.

But signing an agreement is only the beginning.

The real work lies ahead.

We want to see elephants living without unnecessary suffering, receiving proper care, expressing their natural behaviors, and enjoying the dignity and freedom they deserve.

We also want to help protect wild elephants and their forests, while supporting communities living alongside them.

I sincerely thank Honorable Minister Geeta Chaudhari, the Government of Nepal, and all the government teams involved for their trust and willingness to work together.

Elephants do not choose the country in which they are born.

Whether in Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, or anywhere else, every elephant deserves compassion, protection, and the opportunity for a better life.

Four decades of working with elephants have taught me that meaningful change takes patience, dedication, and people willing to work together.

The true success of elephant conservation is not measured by how many agreements we sign, but by how many lives we change for the better.

Thank you, Nepal, for welcoming us to walk together on this journey.

May this be the beginning of a brighter future for Nepal’s elephants. taken in Chitwan- Elephant Breeding Centre by @lek_chailert

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6 days ago

FAA MAI — A LOVING EMBRACE AFTER DAYS APART

Whenever I return home after several days away from my elephant family, their welcome always warms my heart.

Especially Faa Mai.

The moment she sees me, she walks toward me, gently wraps her trunk around me, and pulls me into the space between her two front legs.

Then she lifts one enormous foot and rests it ever so gently on my lap, almost as though she is giving me a hug.

What touches me most is how incredibly careful she is.

Imagine the strength of an elephant weighing several tons.

Yet Faa Mai’s touch is so light and gentle. She never puts her weight on me.

Such enormous strength, yet such extraordinary tenderness.

People often ask me:

“Do elephants really have emotions and feelings?”

After spending so many years living alongside elephants, I witness their emotions through their behavior every day.

They express affection, excitement, trust, concern, and love through their voices, movements, and the gentle touch of their trunks.

They may not speak our language, but that does not mean they cannot communicate their feelings.

I cannot know exactly what Faa Mai is thinking, but I know the deep trust and bond we have built over the years.

Sometimes, the most beautiful expressions of love need no words at all.

For me, Faa Mai’s gentle embrace is one of the most precious gifts of sharing my life with elephants.

She reminds me that true gentleness is not measured by how small or weak we are, but by how carefully we treat those we love.

And this is Faa Mai’s special way of welcoming me home.

A giant elephant.

An incredibly gentle touch.

And a hug that fills my heart with love every single time. taken in Elephant Nature Park, Chaing Mai by @lek_chailert

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7 days ago

Elephant Nature Park taken in Elephant Nature Park, Chaing Mai by @lek_chailert

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8 days ago