THE ELEPHANT MESSENGER (THAILAND)

The willpower of a few can change the lives of many

An episode from the series EXTRAORDINARY ASIANS

Synopsis

Elephants are a major tourist attraction in Thailand. One can ride them, see them play football or paint. However, their training is anything but bliss. The youngsters are estranged from their mothers and drilled for years with such horrendous cruelty for long hours that many have gone mad or became severely handicapped.

Sangduen Lek Chailert has devoted her life to saving them and she is literally ready to die for them. Indeed, she received numerous death threats and was shot at several times.

Named a “Hero of Asia” by Time Magazine, this forerunner in elephant welfare now rescues abused animals, allowing them to spend their last years in peace and dignity.