Volunteer to monitor elephants and experience the rich culture of one of Asia’s finest islands. The project in Sri Lanka is trying to take good care of elephants and provide them respite. The elephants were domesticated to do carry out many jobs and they are usually tired and worn out. Our volunteers will also learn the work of elephant care from the local people. Volunteers will also work with local community and do other daily work like gardening.
What difference does this project make?
The elephants are a wonderful animal – kind, caring and very local. They have also been abused and their population continues to shrink daily. The human apathy towards the animal is one of the main reasons. The project educates the volunteers on the plight of the animal and tries to bridge the barrier of human-animal communication. Volunteers who spend time caring and knowing the elephants go back and become ambassadors of elephant care and overall animal conservation. The elephants in turn also benefit from the work of volunteers. They receive much more attention, and through the steady stream of funds the project receives from volunteers it work improve facilities and habitat.
Highlights of the program
Volunteers are assigned an elephant when they arrive. They will work with a Mahout to learn about the elephant’s behavior and care. Usually in the morning, volunteers clean the enclosure and take the elephant for bathing with the Mahouts. In the afternoon, volunteers will work in local community, either teaching English or other subjects. You can also learn gardening and help the local gardener. There is time for feeding elephants also.
Project location
The project is located in a very rural area in Randeniya, Hiriwadunna, Kegalle, in central Sri Lanka. It is situated in a lush 15 acre sanctuary. Since the beginning, the sanctuary has provided care to over 60 elephants. There are about 7 elephants at present. During your free time, you can visit ancient historical cities like Anuradhapua, the first capital city of Sri Lanka, and Polonnaruwa, where you can explore the ancient ruins of the temples built by the ancient Kings. You can also hike to “SIGIRIYA ROCK“ and witness spectacular scenery from there. Other places you can visit includes North East of Sri Lanka and famous beaches there like Arugam Bay beach and monasteries, temples, parks, churches, museums, art galleries, etc.
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