Overview
Volunteer with Elephants in Sri Lanka

Choosing to do volunteer work on the tropical island of Sri Lanka will take you to join field scientists to help them establish the first Trans-Climatic Zone National Park in the country. We are currently in phase one of this project, which involves conducting surveys and ecological studies of the endangered Sri Lankan elephants and assisting in human-elephant conflict resolution. All of these efforts help to develop sustainable wildlife conservation strategies to protect the elephant over the long-term. Reduced to fewer than 3,500 in the wild, the elephant is threatened by habitat loss and ivory poaching. Staying in the project field base, volunteers will have the opportunity to really feel that they are in the wilderness.

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

Apart from the thrill of seeing elephants at such close quarters in the wild, one of the best aspects of life on the project is meeting and living among the local people and being welcomed into their homes.

Alison Dunevein, 2009 Volunteer

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).