Wild Elephant Conservation & Research Program

• Gather information on elephants and other wildlife and tropical ecosystems, often watching them from strategically placed treehouses
• Collect essential environmental and socio-economic data and maintain logbooks to help develop community-based conservation programs
• Participate in discussions with local villagers to help identify practical solutions to human-elephant conflicts
• Observe, assess and document human-elephant conflicts
• Teach environmental education to local school children from time to time
• Build and mend fencing to protect agricultural crops and homes from damage by wild elephants

Note: The majority of the work is conducted in the field, hence casual comfortable clothing (t-shirts, shorts, loose pants, sneakers, sandals, flipflops, hats, etc.) is recommended as participants are out in the open for significant periods of time. Sunscreen highly recommended as the sun can be strong during the day, and mosquito/insect repellents are advisable to bring as well.

On arrival, participants are picked up from Colombo airport by our driver and taken straight to Wasgamuwa (i.e., project site) in a car/van, which is roughly a 6-hour journey. Participants should plan to arrive before 12 noon on Sunday as it's advisable not to drive in the forest after dark. Return transportation from Wasgamuwa to Colombo airport is not included.

Before the program begins, you’ll be provided with a brief orientation by the local team in Sri Lanka. You’ll be told about the project, your work and everything else, that you need to know while you’re there.

Volunteers stay in a field house, located amidst the lush forests of Sri Lanka. You are surrounded by a ring of striking mountains where you will look out onto a large reservoir where elephants love to bath!

The house is just 15 minutes from the Wasgamuwa National Park. The accommodation is basic with dorm-style beds (with mosquito netting) and shared bathrooms. Rooms will be allotted on the same-gender sharing basis. It’s big enough to accommodate up to 40 people at the same time, where you will stay is very spacious with a high roof, which helps to cool the property as gentle breezes blow along from the neighboring lake.

All of the essentials are provided for you, such as mosquito nets, electric fans, pillows, and clean bedsheets. However, towels & toiletries are not included - make sure to carry your own.

Volunteers will be provided with all the meals - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can expect some of the following meals:

• Breakfast – Cereals, toast, fresh fruits
• Lunch – Salads, fresh fruits
• Dinner – Chicken, fish, vegetables, rice

Meals are usually a mix of local Sri Lankan dishes. Vegetarians can be catered for.

You’ll mostly be free on the weekends, to explore and soak in the beauty of this tropical island. There are several day trips that you can do in the vicinity, but most of the volunteers simply like to explore the beautiful area around the park, and relax in the jungle along with other fellow mates.