Asian Elephant Projects
About Us
Asian Elephant Projects is dedicated to helping small, independent elephant tourism operators transition to ethical and sustainable programs that provide a better, more natural life for their elephants. By joining our Saddle Off model, elephant owners agree to follow guidelines designed to improve the welfare of the elephants under their care. In return, we provide essential support, including qualified guides, transportation, booking and marketing, as well as veterinary care and elephant food deliveries.
Asian Elephant Projects is run by the experienced team at Elephant Nature Park, founded by Saengduean “Lek” Chailert. Lek is an award-winning conservationist who has been rescuing abused, elderly, and injured elephants for more than two decades and is a leading voice in the movement toward the ethical treatment and protection of elephants in Asia.
Our Objectives
- Replace elephant riding and shows with compassionate alternatives.
- Support independent elephant projects committed to ethical practices.
- Provide a safe haven for elephants to heal and overcome fear.
- Create environments where elephants can wander, socialize, and play freely.
- Respectfully care for elephants, ensuring they have a healthy diet.
- Offer immersive programs for visitors to observe elephants in their natural habitat, engaging in natural behaviors such as foraging and swimming.
- Promote responsible elephant tourism in support of a more natural life for these majestic creatures.
Evolution of Elephant Tourism
Our programs are designed to create a safe, nurturing, and peaceful environment for elephants, giving them the freedom to roam, socialize, and forage in natural surroundings, while offering visitors meaningful experiences that are both educational and enjoyable.
The Saddle Off initiative is central to the evolution of elephant tourism promoted by Asian Elephant Projects. At the Saddle Off projects, elephants are not ridden or made to perform in shows. Instead, guests have the opportunity to walk through the jungle in the presence of elephants, observe them foraging on native vegetation and swimming in the river, watch them take mud baths, and feed them fruit and vegetables. Visitors can observe these remarkable animals as they explore and interact naturally—a fascinating and memorable experience.
As awareness grows about environmental conservation and animal welfare, more travelers are choosing responsible and sustainable elephant tourism. Your support is crucial in accelerating this shift and helping create a better future for elephants in Thailand and across Asia.
Supporting Local Communities
Asian Elephant Projects supports small, sustainable ethical programs that in turn, support local hill tribe communities by purchasing food from local farmers for both the elephants and visitors, providing employment for villagers, and promoting reforestation efforts to restore and preserve the natural environment. Some projects also provide a place where local Karen women can sell their traditional handwoven textiles to visitors, helping to support their families.
Our projects often attract good-hearted people visiting Southeast Asia who have a genuine interest not only in elephants but also in the cultures of minority communities, particularly the Karen people, who have a long tradition of living and working with elephants. At Journey to Freedom, visitors learn about Karen culture and actively participate in community projects by helping to build facilities, plant and harvest crops, care for the elephants, and teach English at a local kindergarten. This goodwill, together with the support of visitors, helps preserve the traditional culture and way of life of this small hill tribe community.
More About Asian Elephants
- Elephants have a highly developed hippocampus – the region of the brain responsible for emotion and spacial awareness.
- Elephants express complex behaviour including grief, humour, compassion, cooperation, tool use, playfulness, and self-awareness.
- Elephants are often very affectionate and can be seen caressing each other and entwining their trunks.
- Elephants are highly social animals who live within herds where they interect with each other, form close bonds and often display affection for one one other.
- The Asian elephant population is under serious threat and was placed on the IUCN Red List of endangered animals in 1986.
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