From early rescues to a sanctuary in Mae Taeng
Saengduean Chailert, known as Lek, began rescuing injured, neglected and elderly elephants in the 1990s. In 2003 she established the sanctuary in the Mae Taeng valley near Chiang Mai. Elephant Nature Park forms part of the work presented by Save Elephant Foundation, connecting those individual rescues with a wider commitment to elephant welfare.
A daily life shaped by elephant relationships
At the park, elephants can form family herds and close friendships. They are not required to work, perform tricks or carry riders. This approach makes their social lives central to the sanctuary experience: the purpose of care is to give rescued elephants room for relationships and a more natural daily routine after exploitation or neglect.
Food, veterinary treatment and night shelters
Some elephants arrive in poor condition and need particular attention. The foundation’s care programme identifies a healthy diet, veterinary treatment and medicines among its practical priorities. It also describes chain-free night enclosures with piles of sand. These concrete needs explain how support for elephant care contributes to both clinical recovery and everyday living conditions.
The pandemic revealed a wider food problem
When Thailand closed its borders in March 2020, tourism income supporting many captive elephants disappeared. Save Elephant Foundation responded with an elephant food bank, the Farm to Herd campaign, fostering initiatives and skills support for people working with elephants. This documented crisis response shows how its assistance has extended beyond animals already living at the sanctuary.
Other rescued animals also need ongoing care
The foundation’s wider work includes dogs, cats, cattle, buffalo, horses, rabbits and other animals. Different diets, veterinary needs and shelter maintenance all form part of that responsibility. Its official donation pages distinguish elephant care from broader animal care and land support, allowing people to follow the part of the work they wish to help sustain. Official programme information · AnimalProtech map.
Frequently asked questions
- Does AnimalProtech verify Elephant Nature Park?
- AnimalProtech organizes public information and helps review community corrections, but each donation, adoption, or contact should be verified directly through the animal rescuer's or organization's official channels.
- How can I contact Elephant Nature Park?
- Use the public channels saved on this page and confirm that the opened profile matches Elephant Nature Park, the location Amphoe Mae Taeng - Chiang Mai - Thailand, and the displayed identifiers.
- Is it safe to donate or adopt using only this page?
- No. Use this page as a starting point, then confirm identity, need, accountability, and public history before donating, sending documents, or adopting.
- How can I correct incomplete or outdated information?
- Use the contribution form at the end of the page and send verifiable public links. Do not send personal documents, private addresses, or sensitive third-party data.