North of Chiang Mai lies Elephant Nature Park (ENP). Possibly the most well-known elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Founded by Saengduean Lek Chailert, or Lek as most people know her, ENP is just one of the projects that she and her NGO Save Elephant Foundation have set up, with another two sanctuaries in Laos and Cambodia, as well as other projects and missions she is working on, including one in Ban Ta Klang. 

Lek's passion for elephants and wildlife stemmed from an early age when her grandfather was gifted an elephant who she loved and cared for. After witnessing the mistreatment and suffering of many elephants involved in the tourism industry, she began to provide medical aid to elephants located in remote villages. In the 90s she began to rescue injured and neglected elephants and established ENP in 2003 as a permanent home for those she saved. The work she does has not been unrecognised, with films and books produced about her work. Lek is slowly changing the dynamics of some of the elephant camps around Chiang Mai, teaching the owners that a more ethical approach can be just as profitable.

Over 100 elephants live free of chains and cruelty at ENP in large open paddocks where they are free to form friendships and create family bonds amongst each other. As well as elephants, the grounds at ENP are home to a herd of rescued buffalo which live simultaneously in the paddocks with the elephants, as well as thousands of rescued dogs, cats and other animals. Lek's passion for helping animals does not stop at elephants, she wants to help as many different species of animals as she can, with ENP being home to buffalo, dogs and cats along with many others over their three sites.

Like WFFT, ENP offers eco-tourism opportunities for those who wish to visit an ethical sanctuary and for those who would like to pay to spend time there volunteering. Again, the money you spend provides a crucial donation to enable the project to keep running and expanding. 

My time spent here was one of contemplation and happiness, for this was the first time during the whole trip that I felt I was truly able to watch elephants being elephants. Even though most still showed scars from their past, the love and care they receive here, as well as the freedom they have was truly remarkable to see.