GLOBAL COMMUNITY ONLY HOPE – CATASTROPHE FOR 1,000 ELEPHANTS
It is not in Saengduean Lek Chailert’s (Lek) nature to leave any animals behind to suffer, but she faces her greatest challenge right now, as elephants are being left to die in Thailand, without food, proper care and chained up to prevent them from escaping, in the growing global crisis of COVID19.
Transporting elephants takes time, meticulous planning and with prohibitive costs, she simply cannot do this in time to save them, so the best option is to at least ensure they are fed, have access to water and are released from their chains where they are attacking each other, and fighting over scarce food supplies.
The immediacy of the crisis has her team urgently scrambling to raise funds, and if she is unsuccessful, the future in the next few weeks for these elephants is dire.
Lek believes that this unspeakable current hardship for the elephants will most likely also result in permanent damage to Thailand’s tourism reputation if no action is taken.
“If there is no support forthcoming to keep them safe, these elephants (some of whom are pregnant), will either starve to death or may be put onto the streets to beg. Alternatively, some may be sold to zoos and some may be returned to the logging business (which officially banned the use of elephants in 1989 due to its cruel nature). It’s a very bleak outlook unless some financial help is received immediately,” says Lek.
Lek already houses more than 3,000 animals, many disabled or emotionally unstable, at her Elephant Nature Park (ENP) and a frantic fund-raising effort is underway for food and medical needs to support these animals too. Some of the elephants require intensive, regular veterinary care.
ENP was established in the 1990’s as a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants. It is a leader in ethical elephant tourism in Asia and relies on the income from tourism and volunteers to support operations. Elephants at ENP spend their lives there free to roam as part of family groups.
On her Facebook post this week, Lek thanks donors, saying: “I have been in touch with more than 30 elephant camp owners to help them find a way out of this crisis. My ability to help these animals is an extension of your generosity, I cannot do it without your help. There is no amount too big or small to positively impact the lives of these animals. Every dollar raised has always gone directly to Elephant Nature Park. However, now I will also share part of these donations to try and save elephants in other camps, where it is appropriate.”
“Time is of the essence. A huge improvement within, say, 14 days could be achieved in 7-14 days to avert an appalling disaster. As such, I am calling on people to examine their conscience, philanthropists and companies who have philanthropic funds to step up now,” she adds.
Only the global community can now save these giant mammals and earth’s largest living animal, who are already at risk of extinction by 2040 according to WWF.
HOW TO DONATE
TRUNKS UP (https://jointrunksup.org) is a certified supporting organization which is currently MATCHING all donations, dollar for dollar, up to US$45,000.
Donations can be made via the site at this link: http://spot.fund/trunksup
Where the money will go:
$30 will feed an elephant for a day
$20 will feed a dog or cat for one week
$10 will feed a pig, cow or buffalo for one week
$ 8 will feed a monkey for one week
$ 5 will feed a rabbit for one week
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