A Bond That Reigns Eternal
Your five closest peeps are in your inner circle for a reason. They represent your best qualities that you resonate with and connect to on a higher level. That kind of relationship is one worth cherishing for as long as it is blooming.
Now imagine that kind of respect and trust with not only a wild animal but THE largest land animal on the planet: the elephant. A video captures the endearing moment when a woman, Lek Chailert, decides to take a stroll with a pair of massive elephants.
They’re love for Lek is so immense that they refuse to let her go
The two mammals tower over Lek like skyscrapers when she stands next to them. It appears as if the pair are trying to come to an agreement of whom will get to spend more time with Lek. You’d expect some form of jealous animosity to come out, but not these docile creatures.
It looks like the senior elephant took home the prize, or in this case, Lek. Before departing with her dear friend, Lek made sure to let her other companion feel her warm embrace. An endearing hug was shared before finally being tugged away by the elder elephant’s trunk.
Breathtaking is not enough to describe the scene of Lek and her best friend taking a stroll. They clearly share a relationship like no other. Both are seen smiling from ear to ear as they pleasantly enjoy each other’s company out in nature.
As it turns out, Lek is the founder of the Save Elephant Foundation which is a Thai non-profit organization dedicated to assisting and conserving Asian elephants.Their efforts include providing local community outreach, rescue and rehabilitation programs, and educational ecotourism operations.
The organization’s main goals include:
- to expand self-sustaining eco-tourism operations that benefit local communities and ecosystems
- to better incorporate our efforts into local communities and to ensure their benefit through our continuing operation
- to become a leader in the field of Asian elephant research through academic outreach and education programs
- to create practical, positive reinforcement based elephant training and rehabilitation programs
- to establish an international volunteer community that raises awareness to issues facing the Asian elephant
- to more fully integrate with the global conservation community to facilitate dynamic cross-cultural networking
Lek has had a passion for animals, especially elephants, since she was a child. Her grandfather, who was a traditional healer, was gifted a baby elephant as payment for saving a man’s life. The baby elephant, named Tongkum (Golden One), would spend a considerable amount of time with Lek.
Her passion then morphed into a serious interest to create a positive impact in the elephant community. After learning of the dangers elephants face, Lek decided she would dedicate her life to preserving the amazing mammals.
Today, Lek continues to raise international awareness for elephants
She’s garnered much respect within the animal world considering she has earned two honorary degrees from Rajabaht Chiang Mai University – a PhD in Sustainability and Conservation and a PhD in Veterinary Science. Finally, the National Geographic documentary Vanishing Giants, highlighting Lek’s work with the Asian elephant, was recognized by the Humane Society of the United States with the Genesis Award in 2003.
This beautiful moment is a reminder that we have a responsibility as humans to help preserve endangered elephants. If you’d like to donate and support Lek’s mission, feel free to visit her organization’s website for more information.
Be sure to grab a tissue before watching the tear-jerking video down below!
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