Phil Flanders, who is director of the Road Haulage Association for Scotland and Northern Ireland, was on holiday in Tahiland with his wife Lyn in 2004 when he visited an elephant conservation centre, a visit that was to change his life.

It was at the centre that he met Katharine Connor, a backpacker who was on a round-the-world trip with her boyfriend, when they decided to stay in Thailand and save the elephants from a life of misery.

Phil explained: "They had bought a baby elephant the year before to stop it from being mistreated.

"It had been in an accident and was paralysed.

"The elephant was called Boon Lott, nicknamed Babar, and Katharine was caring for it in the nursing section.

"When I met Babar it was impossible not to get emotional and I wanted to do what I could to help.
"I spent a few days at the sancturary and kept in touch over the next few months to hear of Babar's progress.

"Against the odds he did manage to walk again, but unfortunately he then broke his thigh bone and died."

Phil added that this made Katharine more determined than ever to help the elephants, and she returned home to England to begin a major fund-raising campaign.

"After 18 months she had enough money to buy land and start building Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary near a town called Si Satchanalai," he said.

"She wanted the sanctuary to be a home for elephants where they are not made to perform tricks or work illegally, but can interact with each other in a herd environment."

Phil, who travels to the sanctuary at least once a year, went on: "The work started two years to the date of Babar's death.

"Soon four elephants, including another little one, were enjoying an idyllic life, among them Babar's mum and others who were rescued from a life working on the streets begging for money.

"Standards of health are low, drugging common, hours of work are long, diet is poor and road traffic accidents are frequent."

However, he added: "So much has been done since the building work started; a reception/catering area, staff and visitor accommodation, elephant stables and a pool.

"The more elephants that are rescued, the more tha day-to-day costs increase.

"A regular flow of visitors is building up and a second homestay building is almost complete for those wishing to stay for a few days."

As well as visiting as often as they can, Phil and Lyn try to raise funds for the sanctuary.Anyone who would like more information can visit the website at www.blesele.com, or to make a donation call Phil or Lyn, telephone 01382 542599.