Community-Led Conservation Volunteering in Sri Lanka

 

Ben and Bethany volunteered with the SLWCS for 4 weeks in February and March 2022

 

Bethany helping to analyze elephant dung

 

We quit our jobs for 6 months for a world trip. Out of all the countries we have been to, Sri Lanka is by far the most beautiful. We spent one month in the field house. The SLWCS staffs were great. We were able to meet so many wonderful volunteers at the SLWCS.

 

Ben working in the Butterfly Sanctuary

 

It was very rewarding to help farmers to protect their crops by planting orange trees. Our morning work was normally hard work but rewarding such as working in the butterfly garden.

 

One morning we helped Siriya to harvest paddy, to be able to understand normal life of farmers. Afternoons were usually a bit more easy-going. In the afternoons we would so bird surveys in the paddy fields or go out to look for elephants in order to assess their group sizes and to collect other data.

 

Setting up a remote camera

 

Bethany working on Elephant Foraging Studies

 

The visits to the National Park were always great with the final trip being by far the best. We saw wild boars, buffalos, had our path blocked by elephants and crocodiles and finally saw not only one but 3 elusive leopards. All in all, our time with the SLWCS was incredible and we would love an opportunity to return.

 

Observing elephants

 

For information on the SLWCS Volunteer Program please send inquiries to: [email protected]

 

SLWCS Staff and Volunteer shirts sponsored by elephantea

 

 

Big, rumbling thanks to our Corporate & Organizational Partners for their kind support and to everyone who has donated and supported our wildlife conservation efforts!

Learn more about Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society