Description

Discover Sri Lanka, a glittering jewel of an island nestled in the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean. The elephants and the people of Sri Lanka have had a special relationship that is over 5,000 years old. Elephants are a living symbol of the culture and heritage of Sri Lanka, unfortunately, today human-elephant conflict is a threat to this unique relationship. This is a particularly interesting destination for those who have an interest in the conservation of these magnificent creatures.

* What Will I Be Doing?

The work that you will be carrying out on this project is highly varied. Your activities will be supervised by an expert research team from the Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation Society. You will be participating in activities that aim to resolve human-elephant conflict with a view to producing sustainable conservation strategies capable of saving elephants and their habitat in the long term. You will do this by monitoring elephant populations, including conducting a survey of elephant numbers, associations, family demographics, distribution and behaviour. You will be recording their abundance and habitat utilisation using a variety of established survey techniques. You will assess disturbance levels and undertake surveys within local communities to record accurately the levels of crop raiding and damage attributable to elephant herds. You will assist in the development of a photographic database to facilitate individual elephant identification, and you will conduct assessments to show the effectiveness of a variety of control measures.

In addition you will complete work aimed at producing a comprehensive biodiversity database including a variety of species from birds to mammals and reptiles in the associated forest habitat. All of these tasks will be carried out in the dramatic and remote forest environment of this fabulous and exotic island of Sri Lanka. You need to be moderately fit to participate in this project and be capable of trekking for between 3 and 5 km a day without complaining!

You'll find your team to be a fun, dynamic mix of ages and experiences, with members who all share a passion about travelling in developing countries and saving endangered wildlife. Your staff will be energetic, friendly individuals who are highly experienced in their field and many have also volunteered with Frontier earlier in their career. They will give you comprehensive training in a variety of field techniques and they will explain in full the importance of the field programme and the goals of the research work.

Highlights

* Help conserve the rare & beautiful elephant.
* Explore lush & mysterious Sri Lanka.
* Make lifelong friends.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1,490

Program Fees Include:

Before you go:
* Pre-departure support
* Travel & medical advice & documentation
* Equipment advice
* Discounted medical kit
* Free Frontier t-shirt

In-country:
* Accommodation
* Food
* Local orientation
* Project training
* Project equipment & materials
* In-country emergency support
* 24-hour international HQ back-up

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Volunteering

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview

Frontier's Mission Statement

To conserve the world's most endangered wildlife and threatened habitats and to build sustainable livelihoods for marginalized and under resourced communities in the world's poorest countries. To create solutions that are apolitical, forward-thinking, community-driven, and innovative and which take into consideration the long-term needs of low income communities.

Year Founded

1989