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Koh Lanta, Krabi, Thailand
Modz Lamlert is a Thai national with over a decade of lived experience in areas where humans and monkeys share space. Having resided on Koh Phi Phi for 12 years, he witnessed firsthand the complex relationship between tourism and local macaque populations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the sudden absence of tourism exposed the vulnerability of monkeys dependent on human-generated food sources. This experience sparked his commitment to developing ethical, sustainable approaches to human–monkey coexistence that prioritize long-term welfare and responsible management.
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Koh Lanta, Krabi, Thailand
Elly began her work with monkeys in 2008 in the United States after completing her degree in Neuroscience of Primate Behavior. Her early career spanned zoological and laboratory settings, where she developed expertise in behavioral science, research methodology, and ethical animal management. While grounded in scientific research, her long-term vision has focused on conservation and improving human–primate coexistence.
In zoological environments, she contributed to behavioral studies with the Diane Fossey Foundation, examining aggression within multi-silverback gorilla groups, exploring alternatives to solitary housing for aging males in captivity.
Within biomedical and behavioral research, she specialized in study design, behavioral training protocols, and regulatory compliance, with a strong commitment to minimizing stress and improving welfare standards. Her expertise includes neuropsychological assessment and advanced testing methodologies related to memory and aging, including delayed matching-to-sample (DMS), eye-tracking, spatial memory evaluations, and veterinary care. She has worked for both OHSU National Primate Center and Yerkes National Primate Center at Emory University.
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Elly first came to Thailand in 2017 to observe the macaque populations in Lopburi, where she recognized a meaningful opportunity to apply her scientific and behavioral background to real-world coexistence challenges. She returned in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she and Modz began providing free educational outreach to local communities and tourists after witnessing the impact of reduced tourism on monkey welfare.
Her work now integrates applied behavioral science, ethical management, and community education to support sustainable human–monkey coexistence across Thailand with additional services to biomedical research institutions.
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© 2026 รักลิง Rak Ling. All rights reserved
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