Sangduen "Lek" Chailert

Sangduen "Lek" Chailert (; born 6 October 1961) is a Thai animal welfare worker. She is the founder of Elephant Nature Park and the Save Elephant Foundation and is known for her activism for the welfare and protection of Asian elephants. Chailert has been described as "Thailand's elephant whisperer".

Early life Chailert was born in 1961 in the village of Baan Lao in northern Thailand. Growing up she was given the nickname "Lek", which means "small" in Thai. Chailert later graduated from Chiang Mai University.

Career Chailert founded Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for abused Asian elephants spread over 250 acres of land in Chiang Mai province. The sanctuary has rescued over 200 elephants, in addition to other animals, such as 500 dogs, water buffalo, cows, cats, rabbits, horses, pigs and goats.

Recognition Chailert has been featured in documentaries by National Geographic, Animal Planet, Discovery and the BBC. She was awarded a Genesis Award for the National Geographic documentary Vanishing Giants. Time named Chailert as one of its "Heroes from Asia" in 2005.

In 2022, Chailert received the Legion of Honour in Bangkok from the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. That same year, the documentary The Elephant Rescuer of Thailand, documenting Chailert's efforts against elephant poachers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Elephant Nature Park, premiered.