The Elephant Mask

Lek Chailert, founder of Elephant Nature Park, with a few of her kids.

A couple of years ago, I visited Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand, where I met and interviewed its founder, Lek Chailert. [One day soon you may even see that interview!] The following year, I was solo hiking in Khao Yai National Park, where I witnessed my very first free-roaming elephant. Not an elephant in a zoo or circus. Not at a sanctuary. An elephant living free of human chains or boundaries. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Why did the elephant cross the road? Because she could!

As these things happen, later that same day I met a Thai family at the 200’ Heo Narok Waterfall. We’ve stayed in touch since. Travel has a way of making these sorts of connections. When it comes to education, experience, memories, exotic food, and meeting people, there is no second to travel. Nothing even comes close.

The author at Heo Narok Waterfall.

Unfortunately, elephants living in the wild today are the exception, not the rule. Most elephants in Thailand and other countries that are not abused in the “entertainment” industry (think circuses and photo-op rides) reside in sanctuaries. Elephant Nature Park is one of the best. Sadly, ENP, which…