Overview
Elephant conservation project in Sri Lanka

Assisting the Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation Society on this program takes volunteers to experience the amazing way of life this beautiful island country of Sri Lanka has to offer. Working alongside field scientists cataloguing and conducting surveys in the forests, on the grass plains and in the water holes; you will help wildlife conservation whilst discovering the spectacular waterfalls, beaches, bird watching, fascinating culture, forests and a variety of national parks that Sri Lanka contains. You will help the endangered Sri Lankan elephants by aiding human-elephant conflict resolution and the effort to develop sustainable conservation strategies to protect the elephants. You can also be a part of the ground work in establishing the first Trans-Climatic Zone National Park in Sri Lanka.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

Observing and gathering ecological data on elephants and developing species lists of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and freshwater fishes to promote the establishment of the first Trans-Climatic Zone National Park in Sri Lanka

Ravi Corea, Project Leader, 2008

What Difference Does This Project Make?

The Sri Lankan elephant faces an uncertain future. Reduced to fewer than 3,500 in the wild, the elephant has suffered from habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation and poaching for ivory. Dedicated conservation efforts, backed by political will and commitment and adequate financial support, are needed to halt these threats and ensure the long-term conservation of this species.

Highlights

Working on a tough, physical research project, learning about Asian elephants, working in rural communities, monitoring wild populations in the National Park, exploring this amazing island, community interaction.

Location

The project is located in the central province of the island of Sri Lanka in the Matale District, yet a number of field bases will be established in the future. Presently the main base is situated on the southern boundary of the Wasgamuwa National Park in the Matale district. Our locations are extremely remote, which means you will be at least two hours from the closest internet café. There is no electricity and only patchy mobile / telephone signals.

Field Conditions

Please be prepared for basic living conditions. You will be staying in the project field base that consists of a central eating area, kitchen and a veranda, surrounded by the bush, so you will really feel like you are in the wilderness! The two western bathrooms have cold water only but it comes out at a nice temperature as the pipes have been in the sun all day. There is no electricity in the house, although there are solar-powered lights. All meals will be prepared for the team and vegetarians can easily be catered for as much of the food is vegetarian (mostly rice and curries).