Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, a well-known animal welfare campaigner, has teamed up with Lek Chailert, the founder of the Save Elephant Foundation, to create “Foodbank: Battle for the Elephants,” an urgent global campaign.
“Survival,” which tries to provide urgent aid to Thailand's malnourished elephants.
Thailand closed its doors to tourists in March of last year in reaction to the Covid-19.
Over 3,500 elephants were forced into 24-hour leg and neck rest as a result of the pandemic.
There is little or no food or medical care in these chains.
Now, some 15 months later, the remaining elephants are on the verge of hunger and are still in danger.
Another day closer to death with leg chains.
“I hate to think of the suffering,” Dr Goodall says, genuinely saddened by their condition.
"The thought of their suffering makes me sick.”
Visit FOODBANK to learn more about Dr Goodall's appeal and the campaign.
Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Nature Park founder Lek Chailert adds:
"Thai elephants in captivity are running out of time. Many have already started to fall down and out when enslaved. This will necessitate a concerted effort as well as compassion".
Pre-Covid, Thailand had around 240 elephant camps that offered elephant rides.
While animal protection organizations have waged a large, continuous international fight, groups to phase out such unethical practices, the loss of tourists on a long-term basis, Camp proprietors and elephant owners have been left as destitute as the animals due to a lack of revenue.
Save Elephant Foundation, with the financial backing of Trunks Up, launched its first campaign a year ago, stepped up to the plate with an emergency food purchase and distribution.
223 elephant camps will be supported through this initiative, which will benefit 1,826 elephants and 1,600 elephants.
Trunks Up is a devoted section of the Abraham Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (3)
Save Elephant is a non-profit organization that is leading global awareness and fundraising activities.
Lek Chailert, the foundation's founder.