Lek Chailert

Ms Lek Chailert founded the Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary and educational outreach centre for rescued elephants. With passion and respect for her country’s national symbol, and the knowledge that they were becoming endangered. For that reason, Ms Chailert began advocating for the rights and welfare of the Asian elephants in Thailand.

Due to her hard work and determination, her voice is now internationally recognized. In addition to several documentaries produced by National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet and the BBC, she has also won many honorary awards.

She has formed the Save Elephant Foundation and a dedicated team works by her side to protect the Asian elephant.

The Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton invited Ms Chailert to Washington, DC in 2010 to honour her as one of six Women Heroes of Global Conservation.

Ms Chailert has earned honorary degrees from Rajabhat Chiang Mai University. The National Geographic documentary Vanishing Giants highlighted her work with the Asian elephant.