Dorset Elementary Students Learn About Animal Conservation
by Chloë Ranaldi
Students at Dorset Elementary School received a special visitor on April 7th.
Lek Chailert, an elephant conservationist from Thailand and founder of the Elephant Nature Park spoke to students about elephant conservation and animal welfare.
Lek Chailert’s passion for elephants began when her grandfather was gifted an elephant, who Lek helped care for.
Lek began providing medical aid to elephants in remote villages of Thailand and in 2003 founded the Elephant Nature Park as a safe haven for injured, neglected and elderly elephants.
She spoke to students about the importance of animal conservation and issues surrounding the hunting of elephants.
For her presentation, Lek answered a number of students’ questions, who were eager to get their questions in.
Some included, “How big are Asian elephants compared to African elephants,”
“How many elephants are there in Thailand,”
“How are elephants rescued,” ect.
Lek patiently answered each question, often giving different anecdotes, and speaking about the love and intelligence of elephants, and how the largest land animal is endangered because of humans.
“The number of elephants is declining every month,” said Lek. “People take their land and reduce their habitat, or they are abused.”
She says that, as a society, we need to protect these animals, if not, they risk extinction.
As a result, she has made her conservation work, and educating the younger generation, her priority.
The talk was made possible thanks to Dorset’s Principal Debbie Shizgal who had the lifetime opportunity to be with Elephants twice over the years.
Mrs. Shizgal said she was made aware that Lek would be in Montreal through parent Hannah Tower, who lived in Thailand for a number of years.
Lek Chalert also visited MAC High School today to speak with students about her conservation work.
A big thanks to all those who made the special event possible, peaking children’s interests, and giving a talk they’ll remember for their lifetime.
