Elephant Nature Park and the rescued elephants of Chiang Mai
Published on 08/24/2026 at 12:02 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Elephant Nature Park north of Chiang Mai in Thailand is an elephant sanctuary built around open pasture, river terraces and forested hillsides, giving rescued herds space to live together in the Mae Taeng valley. Founded by Thai animal welfare advocate Saengduean “Lek” Chailert in the early 2000s, it has become a focal point for elephant rescue and rehabilitation in northern Thailand.
A sanctuary landscape in the Mae Taeng valley
Elephant Nature Park lies in the Mae Taeng District of Chiang Mai province, set in a rural valley roughly north of Chiang Mai city, with farmland and low hills forming its backdrop.Mae Taeng District The sanctuary occupies a broad area of former agricultural land beside the river, laid out as open fields, tree-lined boundaries and simple shelters where elephants can rest out of the sun. Herds move across grassland and earth paths, passing between feeding areas, sand patches and the riverbank.
The wider setting is largely rural, with small villages and farms scattered along the access road and views towards the forested slopes of northern Thailand. Within the park, the ground is mostly gentle, broken by river terraces and shallow rises rather than steep cliffs, which makes it possible for older and injured elephants to move between water, shade and grazing without sharp climbs.Schutz- und Rettungszentrum für Asiatische Elefanten
Rescue, rehabilitation and daily life for Asian elephants
Elephant Nature Park functions as a sanctuary and rescue centre for Asian elephants that have been removed from logging work, street begging and entertainment attractions in Thailand.sanctuary and elephant rescue center Many of the elephants living here carry lasting injuries or signs of age, and the layout of the park reflects this, with soft ground, shaded feeding areas and water access designed around their needs. The animals live in family groups and small herds, with carers providing food, medical care and supervision.
Care at the park extends beyond elephants to other animals, including large numbers of rescued dogs and cats that share the grounds under separate management.ethical elephant sanctuary The overall emphasis is on allowing elephants to move freely, bathe in the river on their own schedule and interact with one another without performance or riding. Platforms and walkways are placed so that people can observe these daily routines from a distance while keeping space around the animals.
Lek Chailert and the development of the park
Saengduean “Lek” Chailert, born in northern Thailand in 1961, is the founder of Elephant Nature Park and of the Save Elephant Foundation, which supports projects across Thailand and neighbouring countries.Sangduen “Lek” Chailert Her work with injured and abused elephants began decades ago, and in the 1990s she started rescuing animals from camps and remote villages before establishing the sanctuary as a permanent home in the Mae Taeng valley.
The park in its present form dates from 2003, when land in the valley was secured as a long-term base for the elephants and supporting facilities.gründete Lek Chailert 2003 im Mae Taeng Tal Over the years the number of elephants living at Elephant Nature Park has grown into the hundreds, with pastures, shelters and river access expanded accordingly. Chailert’s wider foundation now backs additional projects elsewhere in Thailand and beyond, but Elephant Nature Park remains the original centre of her work, combining rehabilitation of individual animals with a visible model of elephant-friendly tourism.
Visiting Elephant Nature Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Elephant Nature Park is in the Mae Taeng valley north of Chiang Mai, reached by road from the city and lying within Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand.
- The sanctuary grounds cover a broad area of river valley with earth paths, uneven farm tracks and simple bridges, so walking involves mixed surfaces rather than paved streets.
- Within the park, observation platforms and walkways are above ground level, connected by ramps and stairways that require steady footing.
- The official language is Thai and the currency is the Thai baht.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Elephant Nature Park
Where is Elephant Nature Park located?
Elephant Nature Park is in the Mae Taeng District of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand, in a rural valley north of Chiang Mai city.
What can visitors expect during a visit?
Visitors observe rescued elephants moving freely across fields and riverbanks from platforms and walkways, and see carers providing food and care without riding or shows.
What makes Elephant Nature Park distinctive as an elephant sanctuary?
The park combines large open pasture, river access and long-term care for injured and elderly Asian elephants under the guidance of founder Saengduean “Lek” Chailert.
