From Crisis to Conservation: Katherine Connor’s Story of Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary

In this episode, Rebecca Gade Sawicki welcomes Katherine Connor, founder of Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand, to discuss her inspiring journey to create a truly ethical refuge for elephants. Katherine’s story began with a midlife crisis at just 21 years old, leading her to Thailand, where a connection with a young elephant named Boon Lott changed her life. Together, they built Thailand’s first elephant sanctuary focused entirely on the elephants’ needs, from their well-being to their freedom to just “be elephants.” Katherine and Rebecca dive into the challenges of ethical tourism, the complexities of animal welfare, and the often-overlooked impact of tourism on local communities. Katherine sheds light on what it really means to be an ethical sanctuary, the rigorous daily routines needed for elephant care, and how Boon Lott’s is committed to providing a forever home for elephants—and support for the community that helped make it possible. To find out more about Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary: https://www.blesele.org https://www.blesele.org/adopt https://veggiesabroad.com/ethical-elephant-sanctuaries-in-thailand/ For more vegan travel help or to learn about exciting vegan-friendly tours, visit veggiesabroad.com  Small group veggie tours: https://veggiesabroad.com/vegan-tours-retreats/  Travel planning services: https://veggiesabroad.com/vegan-travel-agent/   Vegan travel guides: https://veggiesabroad.com/vegan-travel-guides/  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://shorturl.at/yDPSX Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bloody Vegans Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠