Contents73 chapters
- 01In Germany and beyond, you are known like a colorful dog, but for those who do not know you yet, please introduce yourself briefly
- 02Why do you live vegan?
- 03You have yes also to the topic suitably the Veganz nourishing study* accomplished last year. What were the key results?
- 04You also have many convenience products on offer. Often one then gets the reproach of the “chemistry set”. How do you invalidate that?
- 05How can you imagine a process of a Veganz product that is created in your head until it ends up in the supermarket?
- 06Future topic In-Vitro Meat! Have you already researched this, or are you working on it?
- 07How did the cooperation with the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig come about and where else can we encounter VEGANZ in the future?
- 08How do the sterotype soccer & metal fans react to vegan sausages?
- 09Where are your products available in other stages?
- 10Then you’re a real game changer in Germany
- 11You’re seeing it more and more on social media. Everyone posts their vegan stadium sausage
- 12Okay, for those who want to try them: I can definitely recommend them. Was very, very tasty
- 13Exactly, just trying something new and by the fact that you also branded it, you already have the association with the brand automatically and then you think to yourself in the supermarket, “I already tried that.”
- 14What was it like for you when you switched to vegan? Was there anything that you incredibly missed?
- 15Convenient that you could buy “cheap” from yourself from then on, right?
- 16That means you were at Daimler before and then made the switch to a vegan supermarket. How did it come about?
- 17Now the thing is that you guys are relatively big now – as I said earlier, the IPO and so on. I’ve read about some people on the internet accusing you guys of sellout because of this. How do you answer them?
- 18Exactly, and as you say, that takes money
- 19Now, not only do you have massive amounts of products that are sustainable, but you also pay attention to the eco-balance when it comes to packaging. How do you implement this in the meantime?
- 20On the net there are some reports around your new products, like the “vegan egg”. What else can we expect from VEGANZ in the future?
- 21You have won one award after the other. You’re PETA’s Person of the Year, you’ve been nominated by EY as Entrepreneur of the Year, Founder of the Year, and on and on. For some people, I’m sure you’re also a source of inspiration. But are there also people who inspire you, or do you have role models?
- 22No, that’s the easier way, but not necessarily the right way
- 23And I also think it’s important to be able to let off steam creatively and to be able to express yourself. Dealing with employees in this way is exactly the right way to go
- 24While you’re on the subject of resistance, I’m sure there are some lobbying groups coming up to you every day and knocking on your door saying, “We don’t want you to push the veggie revolution.” Were there any things in the last years where you had to swallow so hard that you said: “I’m quitting everything now”?
- 25Yes, unfortunately, but you are one of those who have positioned themselves relatively well, or are doing a lot, of course, accordingly. What path would you like to take with Veganz in the future in terms of marketing activities?
- 26Yes, I can well imagine that. Meanwhile also the policy jumps on it, and/or we have even vegan Members of the Bundestag, who give there really full throttle, therefore I am also optimistic that there in the future still much, much more in the direction will happen
- 27I can well imagine that. How do you think the middle of society can deal with this, or what can be done to make politicians aware of it?
- 28Okay, then you’ve curbed my euphoria a bit. Nevertheless, I am optimistic about the future. Jan, we’ve already pretty much reached the end. At the end, why don’t you give us a few motivating words, or what would you like to say at the end?
- 29Here are the VEGANZ products:
- 30You want to support the work of This Is Vegan?
- 31Here you can find all Interview Questions
- 32Hi Maya, how do you like it at the OMR Festival? What were your highlights?
- 33At 17, you already have 1.8 million followers on Instagram. How did you do that?
- 34Where do you get the inspiration for your recipes from?
- 35Do you also have other creators you follow who you say are your absolute favorite bloggers?
- 36I recently cooked something with natural tofu. It wasn’t really delicious… – Do you have any tips for what I can do a little better next time?
- 37You are 17 years old, a content creator, cookbook author, and you have to entertain a community of millions every day. What is a typical day like in your life?
- 38How much time goes into stuff like comments and DMs every day?
- 39Have there been concerns from your family that you might neglect school?
- 40Speaking of school, you’ve kept everything on your channels in English since day one. Why did you choose this and how do you speak English so well?
- 41What tools do you use to cut and edit your Instagram Reels?
- 42Can you currently live on the income from your cookbooks and channels?
- 43Have you thought about doing this full-time after school?
- 44Now we’ve talked a lot about what you do, but we haven’t talked about the big “why” yet. Maya, why are you actually vegan?
- 45How did your classmates react to your food channels?
- 46Were there any negative reactions to your project from those around you, like envy or something? And if so, how do you deal with it?
- 47Were there situations in the business context where you were underestimated because of your age?
- 48You have up to 9 million views on your reels on Instagram. What are the most important success factors for Instagram Reels if you want to start them for yourself in the food context?
- 49What does a potential partner have to bring to make it into your feed?
- 50I read an interesting quote last week from the Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, Volker Wissing. He said, “If you look at the number of photos of food on social media around the world, you see a tremendous energy consumption.” And one should question whether this is really necessary. Where does the topic of sustainability start for you and where does it end?
- 51You already inspire millions of people with your food channels. How do you approach your immediate circle of friends and acquaintances with the topic of “vegan nutrition”?
- 52What food trends do you see in the future?
- 53How is the support from your family?
- 54Now we’ve talked about all the recipes you’ve created, but what’s your favorite food?
- 55What are your personal wishes for the future?
- 56Finally, is there anything you really want to share?
- 57Lek Chailert: Voice of the Gentle Giants – A Look into Elephant Nature Park and the Life of a Passionate Activist
- 58What is the Elephant Nature Park?
- 59Hey Lek, nice to see you again. The last time we met was in January this year at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand, and now we're getting together again for the Plantbased podcast. Unfortunately only online, but we'll be back soon. We promise. Through the "Elephant Nature Park" you have a great influence on the protection of elephants worldwide. How did the protected area come about?
- 60Wow, what an incredible journey. Your story gives me goose bumps. So a man came to your Animal Sanctuary and gave you money to set it up and expand it?
- 61How do the elephants get to you now? Do you call them and buy it from them or how exactly does that work?
- 62You deal with touching stories every day. But which one has stuck in your mind in particular?
- 63Oh, what a beautiful story! You mentioned earlier that there are also other so-called "sanctuaries". Can you tell us about the differences between your Elephant Nature Park and other sanctuaries?
- 64What can people do to ensure that they support ethical tourism like yours? Are there any signs to look out for?
- 65Through your educational work, you are destroying the business with the animals for some. How do the other elephant camp owners react to you?
- 66You also work with the government. What support is available here and what do you achieve together?
- 67As I have seen, you also have to contend with extreme storms time and again. You also need support for the reconstruction. How can everyone who wants to help you support you?
- 68We come from Germany and sometimes the animal rights there are also quite strange. For example, elephants are paraded in circuses and exhibited in zoos. What specific wishes do you have for German politicians in this regard?
- 69What plans do you have for Elephant Nature Park in the future?
- 70When I visited your park, I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything we could eat there was vegan. We have a vegan online magazine, and the food was incredibly delicious. How did you come to offer so much vegan food?
- 71Lek, imagine you have 3 wishes that come true. What would they be?
- 72Thank you very much for the interview, Lek. It is impressive what you and your team do every day for the welfare of the elephants, dogs and cats. We will definitely be back and hope that every reader will donate at least 1 euro to you and stop visiting animal shows in future and think twice before going to zoos, circuses and elephant camps
- 73?? You can find regular news from the vegan community on Instagram! ??
Lek Chailert: Voice of the Gentle Giants – A Look into Elephant Nature Park and the Life of a Passionate Activist
Sometimes, the quietest voices have the greatest impact. Lek Chailert is one such voice – a gentle and unwavering advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. At her Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Chailert has created an oasis of hope for abused and neglected elephants. In our exclusive interview, the award-winning animal rights activist and self-confessed vegan sheds light on the multi-faceted life in her remarkable sanctuary and talks about ethical tourism, ecotourism and the often neglected dark side of the elephant industry.
Find out in this interview:
- What can ethically correct tourism look like
- How to find sustainable elephant camps
- How did Lek Chailert come to found the Elephant Nature Park?
- What laws are planned in Thailand to protect animals
- Why is elephant riding & elephant bathing bad for elephants
- How can I support ethical elephant camps?
In a world that is often blind to the suffering of animals, Chailert is at the forefront of change. She has dedicated her life to the protection of elephants, and the Elephant Nature Park is her living manifesto of this passion. The park, which stretches across northern Thailand, is not only a sanctuary for elephants, but also a paradigm for tourism based on compassion, respect and balance with nature.
Chailert is not only a fighter for the elephants, but also lives a vegan lifestyle that reflects her convictions in every respect. Over the course of our conversation, she reveals the ways in which veganism and animal welfare go hand in hand and how we can all help to promote a more sustainable and ethical way of living together.
In this interview, you will not only gain an insight into the life of this remarkable woman and her work, but also delve deeper into the topics of vegan lifestyle, ethical tourism, ecotourism and the issues surrounding the elephant industry.
Chailert sheds light on the true cost of so-called elephant tourism, the impact of commercial exploitation of these majestic creatures and how the Elephant Nature Park shows a different way – a path of healing, respect and harmony between humans and animals.
It was impressive to be able to talk to this woman on site in Chiang Mai and to see live how much good there can be in a person.
Prepare to be inspired by a woman whose voice not only reaches elephants , but touches hearts worldwide. Let’s immerse ourselves in the fascinating world of Lek Chailert and the elephants to whom she lends her voice.
What is the Elephant Nature Park?
The Elephant Nature Park is a very special place located in the northern Thai province of Chiang Mai. What makes it so special is its unconditional dedication to the welfare of elephants and other rescued animals. The park is a sanctuary for mistreated elephants rescued from the entertainment and tourism industry. Instead of using the elephants for rides or shows, the park offers them a safe and natural environment where they can heal their wounds and lead a species-appropriate life.
What makes Elephant Nature Park truly unique is its commitment to the protection and conservation of elephants and their natural environment. The park works closely with local communities to provide educational programs and raise awareness about elephant conservation and the importance of a sustainable tourism industry. Visitors to the park have the opportunity to interact with the elephants in a respectful manner without harassing or harming them. Physical contact, elephant bathing and shows are deliberately avoided. Here, ecotourism can be experienced in a completely new way and the elephants resocialize in a natural environment.
The Elephant Nature Park is also actively committed to environmental protection. The park practices sustainable agriculture and uses environmentally friendly methods of waste disposal. Care is taken to ensure that visitors interact with minimal impact on the park’s nature and wildlife.
Visitors are served exclusively vegan dishes from the restaurant’s own organic garden. The recipes are created by Lek Chailert himself.
In addition, the park supports local communities by creating jobs and promoting organic farming, which generates a sustainable income for the people in the region.
The Elephant Nature Park is an inspiring example of responsible tourism and shows how a sustainable and ethical approach to the protection of animals and the environment can look.
Through its commitment to elephant welfare, community collaboration and focus on environmental sustainability, Elephant Nature Park has a positive impact on people, wildlife and the environment, leaving a lasting impression on all who visit.
Interview with Elephant Nature Park founder Lek Chailert
In this interview, Lek Chailert tells us everything you want to know about her elephants and her life. If you want to know a little more, we recommend listening to the new Plantbased podcast with her, which will be released shortly. Subscribe now.
Did you like the podcast with Lek Chailert?
We would appreciate a rating and a subscription. Thanks for your support! ?
Hey Lek, nice to see you again. The last time we met was in January this year at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand, and now we're getting together again for the Plantbased podcast. Unfortunately only online, but we'll be back soon. We promise. Through the "Elephant Nature Park" you have a great influence on the protection of elephants worldwide. How did the protected area come about?
Lek Chailert: Thank you very much, Yannick. I would be delighted if you came again. It’s great that you were here and got an idea of how many animals we have at the rescue center and what species-appropriate husbandry can look like.
When I rescued the first elephant, I never thought I would have over 100 elephants. And I would never have thought that they would all live in our sanctuary. Now we have over 5,000 different animals (including dogs & cats), and all because I love animals.
I thought at first that I would save one elephantbut not hundreds.
*laughs*
So how did my journey begin? It all started when I had the opportunity to volunteer with a Group of conservationists in the jungle to work. I visited a tribal community that was involved in logging the jungle and cutting wood.
That day I learned that I witnessed the cruelty against elephants working for the logging industry and saw how they were forced to work and mistreated. This is something that has changed my life. I would never have thought that such a large animal could be so terribly mistreated by humans .
At that time I saw a bull elephant that had been stabbed with a knife and its head was covered in blood. I was very shocked by what I saw. He screamed and I witnessed it all. I looked into his eyes and he looked at me and made me feel everything – the pain, the anger, the hopelessness and the fear. When I got home, those eyes haunted me like a shadow .
So I decided to go back into the jungle with medicine. I wanted to help the wounded elephants and look after them. But when I arrived, the mahout (elephant guide) informed me that even more elephants were sick in the jungle. The deeper I went into the jungle, the more suffering elephants I discovered .
I then spoke to the animal keepers and asked the mahout when these elephants would be able to rest. He told me that they can only rest when they die, as soon as they fall over. This statement shocked me even more and intensified the already overwhelming feelings I had at that moment.
When I got home, I tried to find a way out. How could I help these elephants? The only solution I could think of was to create a forever home for them. When I spoke to the mahout, he mentioned that they didn’t know where to put the elephants when they were old, blind, lame or injured.
This is where my desire to help this bull elephant began. When I met him for the first time, I was deeply shocked by his immeasurable suffering. It left a lasting impression on me and I couldn’t get rid of this shattering memory. I was determined to help him.
When I returned in 1991, a few years after his death, I decided to rescue a female elephant instead. She was also severely malnourished and I brought her to my home. At that time, with the help of some friends, I started to bring first elephants to me and raise money for them.
"If you mentioned the word "sanctuary", people thought you were completely crazy."
Almost 30 years ago, people knew very little about protected areas. If you mentioned the word “sanctuary”, people thought you were completely crazy. But my good friends invested money to support this cause.
Now they began to invest money. However, they soon realized that the elephant sanctuary was not generating any income. They were just eating up money – in his opinion. Finally, the friend decided to give up everything. He told me that he no longer wanted to continue. At this point, I left the elephants in his care.
But the man who wanted to set up the whole thing with me was still a businessman. He had his own business next to the elephant camp, where he offered elephant rides.
The riding camp brought in a considerable amount of money. Around 200 – 300 visitors came every day. The sanctuary, on the other hand, only had two or four visitors. He finally informed me of his decision to cancel everything. That’s when I realized that I had to start something of my own.
Fortunately, the situation is different now. The land available to us for our sanctuary was donated by a man from Texas who provided the funds to purchase the land and establish the Sancutary.
Wow, what an incredible journey. Your story gives me goose bumps. So a man came to your Animal Sanctuary and gave you money to set it up and expand it?
Lek Chailert: Yes, he came and said he had heard about my story. He knew that I was facing a lot of problems when I wanted to start Elephant Nature Park, especially the lack of land. Initially, I tried to open the place with my family, but they were against it because they thought that an animal sanctuary was a crazy idea that would not generate any income, only expenses.
Nobody wanted to get involved or run such a business. Eventually I was evicted from the land and had to stay in the forest. However, leaving the land, which belonged to the government, was associated with numerous problems. When a governor was in power, he seemed to be fine with me staying there. But when the government changed, I was expelled from the country.
Fortunately, Roma, a man who knew my story, decided to visit me. After spending only three days with me, he decided to send me money and help me invest in buying the land.
How do the elephants get to you now? Do you call them and buy it from them or how exactly does that work?
Lek Chailert: We continue to receive information from various sources, including concerned individuals and animal rights activists. They inform us when they see that elephants are being abused or that old and blind elephants are still being forced to work. Sometimes the owners of elephants used in the tourism industry or for lobbying purposes also contact us when their elephants fall ill or are no longer usable.
We therefore keep a list of these cases. Almost every week we receive new contacts and our list grows with hundreds of elephants in need. In Thailand, over 90% of elephants are privately owned, so we have to buy them if we want to save them. None of the owners are willing to give them to us for free, even if the elephants are seriously ill or weak. They still want financial compensation or other benefits from the elephants.
You deal with touching stories every day. But which one has stuck in your mind in particular?
Lek Chailert: We have many stories that touch me incredibly. One is that of Jenna and Saito. They are sisters. When they were young, they were forced to stand on the street all day to collect money with them. Jenna had an accident and broke her leg, so she was sent to our project to be cared for. We worked on healing her leg, which took about four years. In the meantime, Saito became very ill due to neglect and malnutrition.
"When we brought them to our project, Jenna and Saito recognized each other immediately. Their reunion was incredibly emotional."
Finally, the owner contacted us again and we also took Saito in. When we brought them to our project, Jenna and Saito recognized each other immediately. Their reunion was incredibly emotional. We also rescued a mother and her baby who had suffered for four and a half years. The mother must have thought that she would never see her baby again. When we brought them back together, it was an incredible sight. They were both shocked and showed such impressive emotions.
When they started talking to each other, they screamed, touched each other, mourned and cried. Her emotional outburst was really impressive. Witnessing these moments made me realize how important our rescue efforts are. We strive to reunite families whenever possible, whether it’s a mother with her baby or siblings. We have rescued many and continue to do so, always trying to understand their story and facilitate reunions.
Oh, what a beautiful story! You mentioned earlier that there are also other so-called "sanctuaries". Can you tell us about the differences between your Elephant Nature Park and other sanctuaries?
Lek Chailert: Right. Many call themselves rescue centers, sanctuaries, animal welfare, conservation centers or retirement homes, but they do not support the natural life of the elephants, or not completely. The elephants are often separated, chained, controlled with hooks or monitored by mahouts at every turn. In some sanctuaries, you are even allowed to ride the elephants or take part in activities such as bathing and feeding the animals. But we are different from the others.
As we rescue one elephant at a time, we firmly believe in the importance of the herd. We introduce them to each other and allow them to bond as part of a family. We rescue them individually, but we know that elephants are social creatures. They need friends and family. That’s why we focus not only on getting them to us, but also on making sure they can join a herd after their rescue. This is what sets our sanctuary apart from others.
Furthermore, we do not allow humans to use elephants as a service. Instead, we encourage everyone who visits the Elephant Nature Park to serve and care for the elephants.
What can people do to ensure that they support ethical tourism like yours? Are there any signs to look out for?
Lek Chailert: When people set up elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, many of them will use the term “sanctuary”. However, you will find that some of these facilities still offer activities such as elephant riding or elephant swimming. Some may look like real sanctuaries, but in reality they are just elephants running from enclosure to enclosure.
In the morning there are elephant shows and rides, then in the afternoon it’s “Hug an Elephant” or “Walk with Elephant”. In reality, some visitors visit a circus in the morning and go to these so-called sanctuaries in the afternoon, only to find that they encounter the same mahouts and elephants who have just changed their shirts and names. Unfortunately, this practice is widespread in Thailand.
"In truth, some visitors visit a circus in the morning and go to these so-called sanctuaries in the afternoon, only to find that they encounter the same mahouts and elephants who have only changed their shirts and names."
Many facilities are reluctant to completely distance themselves from horseback riding, as it has been a lucrative business for decades, even spanning several generations. However, they are not yet brave enough to become true sanctuaries. They have therefore opted for a two-pronged approach. In the mornings, they continue to offer horse riding and circus activities, and in the afternoons they offer programs in the “Sanctuary” for supposed ecotourists. In this way, they can attract more visitors as they gradually transition to a protected area model. To make it easier, these places often require visitors to invest in tickets before attending. That way, they already have the money when the tourists arrive.
Through your educational work, you are destroying the business with the animals for some. How do the other elephant camp owners react to you?
Lek Chailert: Yes, but I don’t care.
When I started promoting the idea of the Elephant Nature Park, many people laughed and didn’t believe in the potential success of our business model. They thought it wouldn’t work and I was met with skepticism. I tried to talk to many elephant camps and encourage them to adopt a similar approach. However, people continued to doubt the feasibility of switching to a sanctuary model.
But now everything is starting to change, especially when they visit Thailand today. Camp owners will find that many people are starting to talk about ethical programs. Even if not all of them are truly ethical, it is a step forward from the past when such options were not even considered.
You also work with the government. What support is available here and what do you achieve together?
Lek Chailert: When you live in a country where there are no animal rights or few laws to protect our iconic animals, the only way to bring about change is through education. I firmly believe that education can bring about significant change. That’s why we invite people to visit our project. Sometimes schools ask us if we organize elephant shows, and if we say no, they express their interest in learning about the elephants and showing them their fates.
In such cases, when they can’t see what they were expecting, we take the opportunity to educate them. We explain why elephant shows are not good for the pachyderms. We focus on educating the younger generation because we believe that they are the future guardians of the environment.
I am also now starting to work with the government. I am involved in parliamentary activities to lobby for the creation of laws that deal specifically with elephants. New animal welfare regulations, particularly for elephants, are expected to be announced by the end of this year. I personally hope that the elephants’ work will be stopped completely and that they will eventually be released into a life without work. However, I realize that this cannot be achieved in my time due to the immense profits from the elephant business and the tourism industry .
The elephant industry alone brings in billions of baht every year. Instead of an immediate stop, we are working to gradually slow down these practices and raise awareness among tourists of the suffering elephants endure when they are forced to perform unnatural tricks.
I hope that we will achieve an improvement in animal welfare for elephants on this trip. Hopefully we will witness positive changes this year.
As I have seen, you also have to contend with extreme storms time and again. You also need support for the reconstruction. How can everyone who wants to help you support you?
Lek Chailert: We are already preparing for the next monsoon, even though our land was recently damaged by a storm. It severely damaged our buildings and the roofs of the elephant enclosures. It has been a series of challenges for us and I sincerely hope that there will be no more weather disasters.
Also at Like Meat we were one of the first to make organic vegan – that’s the highest, to bring out organic vegan products, then you really have no possibilities to bring in additives or adjuvants. So that was always the approach for us to make very clean products and also with TiNDLE we have a very high quality protein. Whether that’s a soy protein, or a pea protein, we need a high quality clean protein and to start with a clean protein first, I don’t need to heavily mask that either. If I already have protein, which is quite neutral in terms of the color palette and also otherwise – that means I already don’t have to mask as much, I don’t have to lighten now. If you start with a good raw material, then you automatically have a shorter ingredient list. Nutritional values must of course also be at the same level in terms of macronutrients, protein, fat, carbohydrates.
If you are wondering how you can help, there are many ways to support us. One possibility is the
sponsorship for an elephant
. This helps us to cover the costs for the care and maintenance of the elephants. You can also help us by making your friends and family aware of the problem, especially if you visit Thailand or other Asian countries where elephants are found. Please encourage them not to support activities where elephants are used for shows, rides or tricks.
Your support and efforts to educate others can make a significant contribution to the promotion of ethical practices and the welfare of elephants.
We come from Germany and sometimes the animal rights there are also quite strange. For example, elephants are paraded in circuses and exhibited in zoos. What specific wishes do you have for German politicians in this regard?
Lek Chailert: It makes me really sad to see that not only in Germany, but in many countries, there are elephants that are put on display and tortured. I hope that one day people will think about this and realize that many parents and schools take their children to the zoo in the belief that this is a place that promotes love for animals, which is completely far from what they actually want to achieve.
However, the reality is that animals are not suited to being caged, forcibly removed from their natural habitat and transported for entertainment. This is neither education nor conservation.
"How can we expect our children, who are the future of this planet, to understand concepts such as love, empathy and environmental protection if we, the older generation, don't lead them in the right direction?"
I hope that governments across Europe, as members of the EU, will recognize the problem and reconsider the practice of trading animals from Asia and Africa to exhibit them for the amusement of people. This is not right.
How can we expect our children, who are the future of this planet, to understand concepts such as love, empathy and environmental protection if we, the older generation, do not lead them in the right direction?
Such practices lead to animals being hunted and trapped in various countries because they are used for entertainment. I sincerely hope that all governments will not support these activities and instead encourage people to make choices that are consistent with ethical and responsible behavior towards animals.
What plans do you have for Elephant Nature Park in the future?
Lek Chailert: We have many plans and I never stop working towards them. One of our plans is to build a hospital for elephants. We also want to open a new space where the elephants can live without having to return to the enclosure. They will then have a home on a huge, spacious site where they can move around freely 24 hours a day. That is my dream.
Another plan we have is to create a raised viewing area for visitors so that they no longer have to walk on the ground. This allows them to observe the elephants from above without disturbing them. The elephants can move freely wherever they want. I envision a future in which the elephants no longer need keepers or caretakers. Instead, they can rely on their own herd to care for and protect each other. That would be my big wish.
When I visited your park, I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything we could eat there was vegan. We have a vegan online magazine, and the food was incredibly delicious. How did you come to offer so much vegan food?
Lek Chailert: When I think about it, it reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend. She argued with me when she found out that our project was offering vegan food. She couldn ‘t understand why we don’t offer meat, as she thinks she really needs it. I asked her why she thinks she needs meat. She replied that she has a large body and believes that her body needs a lot of energy .
I took her arm and said: “Come with me – I have a question for you: Which animal do you think is bigger, you or an elephant?”
“The elephant,” she replied in astonishment. So I continued: “And yet they are some of the strongest and largest animals on earth.”
One thing I have learned is that I don’t eat animals. This has nothing to do with religious conviction, but simply with love for all animals. They love their own lives, just like we do. Animals deserve to live. Imagine if one day aliens came and captured us and some species ate us. How could we live peacefully if we didn’t know when we might become their prey?
The same applies to all animals: they love their lives. If we can love dogs and other animals, why shouldn’t we love every other animal? Why not chickens? That’s why we offer vegan meals in our project. It’s not about creating a nightmare for people who eat meat. When they come to us for the first time and learn about our vegan dishes, some people may feel uncomfortable. But as I am a cook myself, I have developed various programs so that people can enjoy their meals and forget about meat during their time with us. They are all happy. I always tell them that the plate they take from the table is a happy plate.
I also always find it confusing when I attend animal welfare seminars and meat is served there. That is contradictory. It is unthinkable for us to serve meat if we are involved in nature conservation projects and promote animal welfare. We want to show people how to be ethical and caring towards others. When visitors come to our park, we tell them that they can order any food they want and we will prepare it without meat. That is our guiding principle. We strive to make everyone happy by offering a variety of dishes. We also try to convey this to our volunteers.
Lek, imagine you have 3 wishes that come true. What would they be?
Lek Chailert: Firstly, we should stop abusing animals for entertainment purposes, because they exist on this planet for their own reasons. They were not born to be our food or to amuse us. Secondly, we should live in this world with care and kindness towards others, not only towards animals, but towards all people. Ending wars is another important step. Wars arise from human conflicts, and if we treat each other with kindness and love, we can avoid them. Wars only bring destruction and suffering.
I hope that the powerful around the world and in the various countries where wars are raging will put an end to them. Why should we kill our own species? Why should we fight each other? I have never seen luck in such fights. The only way forward is to inhabit this planet with love and compassion.
These are the three things I have observed and I hope to prevent the loss of innocent lives, especially children and elderly people who should not die in wars. But of course all other people too. Ultimately, I hope that people will be kinder to each other to create a more compassionate world.
Thank you very much for the interview, Lek. It is impressive what you and your team do every day for the welfare of the elephants, dogs and cats. We will definitely be back and hope that every reader will donate at least 1 euro to you and stop visiting animal shows in future and think twice before going to zoos, circuses and elephant camps.
Lek Chailert: Thank you, Yannick. I can only return the favor. Great what you are doing with This Is Vegan and the Plantbased Podcast. I would be delighted if you visited us again.
Love & Bananas
“Love & Bananas” is a heart-wrenching documentary that follows animal rights activist Lek Chailert’s tireless rescue mission to free a 70-year-old blind female elephant named Noi Na from a high-risk camp in Thailand. This moving journey into the hidden depths of the elephant industry reveals the true cost of elephant tourism. Despite the horrific reality, the film also conveys an inspiring message of hope and compassion, with Chailert emphasizing that there are “no cruel intentions, only cruel ignorance“. Love & Bananas” is a passionate appeal for awareness and respect for these majestic animals and our shared world.
You will soon be able to listen to the podcast here. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it.
Biography of Saengduean "Lek" Chailert
Saengduean Chailert, also known as Lek, was born in Thailand in 1962. In return for saving a young man’s life, her grandfather was given an elephant called Tong Kam, which means “golden one”. The bond that developed between Lek and Tong Kam sparked a love and respect for elephants that shaped their lives. After graduating in Arts from Chiang Mai University, Lek worked in the tourism industry where she became aware of the conditions of Asian elephants. She began to campaign for the rights of elephants by raising public awareness of their situation and providing medical care to elephants in remote villages. In the 1990s, Lek began rescuing injured, neglected and old elephants, and in 2003 she was able to set up a permanent home for them in the picturesque Mae Taeng Valley near Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.
Today, the park is home to over 200 elephants, as well as hundreds of dogs and cats, which can move freely during the day, live in family herds and form close friendships with each other. The elephants in the park do not have to work, do not perform tricks and are not ridden, but are allowed to lead a natural life. Lek is an award-winning conservationist who has been working for more than two decades to improve the living conditions and welfare of elephants in Asia. Her work has receivedinternational recognition and has been documented by National Geographic, DiscoveryChannel, Animal Planet, CNN and the BBC, as well as print media around the world. Lek continues to be at the forefront of elephant rights advocacy and has initiated projects in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar to improve the welfare of elephants across the region.
In 2022, she was awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest national award of the French Republic, by President Macron.
In 2021, she became Deputy Chairman of the Special Committee on Wild Elephant Conservation in the Thai Parliament .
She was also one of six female heroes of global nature conservation to be honored by Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington DC.
Time magazine named her one of Asia’s heroes for her efforts to protect the Asian elephant.
The Amazon Prime documentary “Love & Bananas” also made Lek Chailert increasingly well-known in the media worldwide.
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Yannick Haldenwanger
Photos: Elephant Nature Park, Yannick Haldenwanger, Shutterstock, Pexels
The interview was translated from English and supplemented. You can listen to the full interview in the Plantbased Podcast.
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FAQ - What readers ask
What is the Elephant Nature Park?
Wow, what an incredible journey. Your story gives me goose bumps. So a man came to your Animal Sanctuary and gave you money to set it up and expand it?
How do the elephants get to you now? Do you call them and buy it from them or how exactly does that work?
You deal with touching stories every day. But which one has stuck in your mind in particular?
Oh, what a beautiful story! You mentioned earlier that there are also other so-called "sanctuaries". Can you tell us about the differences between your Elephant Nature Park and other sanctuaries?
What can people do to ensure that they support ethical tourism like yours? Are there any signs to look out for?
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