Elephant Nature Park receives $14,000 USD donation for land fund

Editor’s Note: Lena Quenard, from Switzerland, recently donated a very generous $14,000 USD to our Land Fund. She had been fundraising on her own with the goal of donating to help rescue an elephant. However, only two weeks ago, she read our post about our desperate need for more land. Thankfully, this story had an impact on her and she decided to change her mind and donate the money she had raised to our land fund instead.

Lena, Lek and members of the family herd as she donates money to Save Elephant Foundation to help purchase new land.

The land that will be purchased with her funds will have a very positive impact on the lives of the elephants here at Elephant Nature Park. A passionate animal lover, Lena is rather new to the elephant world — her life was changed when she met an elephant named Moey.

This is Lena’s story, written by her. If you are interested in donating, please click here. 

Elephants, like all animals, have always been in my heart but it is one year ago that I really met these majestic creatures. In May 2012, I went to Thailand to visit elephant camps to see the reality for captive elephants.

It was in one of those terrible camps that I meet Moey. I was told she was in her early twenties.

She was chained and looked very ill and malnourished. Her eyes were empty, I could feel her great distress. I was haunted by Moey and her terrible circumstances. After years of poor treatment, she was out of strength. Her owner seemed to have no concern for her poor health.

I felt that she would die there, tied to a pole.

Back in Switzerland, I was determined to do everything possible to rescue Moey. For the first time in my life I started a fundraising campaign. I contacted the  newspapers and gave interviews to explain my meeting with Moey. I also wanted to explain the unacceptable situation that the working elephants find themselves in.

People were deeply touched by Moey; I can say she sparked an immense wave of love. I found in me a new amazing strength, to write, alert people, research  the situation and collect money.

I am immensely grateful and touched by the generosity and trust that people have placed in my approach. I have received donations from around the world; from Switzerland, France, Holland, Spain, Sweden, USA, Tahiti and more!

After being rescued, Moey was placed in a retirement home, free at last. Unfortunately, she died four months later of intestinal complications. Having lived a few weeks by her side, I could tell how her eyes had regained their light and how she touched the hearts of those who met her.

Moey had only four months of freedom, but it was worth it!

Moey has been the trigger for a turning point in my life.

Since one year ago I have rearranged my life and became involved in various projects for the elephants and their environment. I resigned from my job and once again started working independently as a reflexologist.

Lek, Faa Mai and Lena spend some time together at Elephant Nature Park.

I continued my fundraising planning to rescue the next elephant. Recently I learned that ENP needed more land to accommodate the elephants in their care. I decided, in agreement with some of my donors, to provide a part of the donation for this new land. And that is really a great and peaceful new place!

Lek is a great source of inspiration for so many people and it is a great honor to be able to help her.