Elephant conservation

You can find more information on the amazing volunteer opportunity ‘elephant conservation project’ here.

Are we losing the battle?

That elephants are an endangered species in Sri Lanka comes as no surprise.

There aren’t many countries in the world where the elephant is out of danger and it will take a long while before their numbers will be restored to past levels.

Some numbers to give you an impression of how sad and serious the situation really is:

Year	Wild Elephant numbers
1800	12000-14000
1900	10000-12000
1920	7000-8000
1970	5000
1999	4000
2003	3500
2004	3350
2006	3150
2007	2900-3000

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Elephant

Why elephants are dying out

A huge issue is the killing of elephants to protect houses and crops. Poaching, farming (deforestation), drought and starvation certainly contribute to a great number of unnecessary deaths. Finally the Tamil Tiger war in the North of the country resulted in many elephants being killed or heavily wounded by landmines.

What is done to save them

Thankfully Sri Lanka is working to reverse the decline in elephant numbers.

Besides a great number of national parks where elephants can live without human interference there are also a number of so called elephant orphanages.

How we help

LEO Project Foundation works with one of the smaller elephant orphanages to help safe wounded and ill elephants. Elephants at this orphanage receive medical treatment and care.

With the help of volunteers the elephants are fed and washed and by doing so the volunteers get a much better understanding of elephants.

Armed with this new knowledge and understanding they can teach others and raise awareness. The orphanage also teaches those who work with, live around or own elephants how to treat them responsibly and to take care of their welfare.

How you can help the elephant survive

Come volunteering with elephants here in Sri Lanka. Read more about volunteering on the Elephants conservation project here.

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