"LEO... large enough to care about the big issues... small enough to care about the individual"Elephant conservation – Sri Lanka
Truly a once in a lifetime experience. Become involved in a variety of activities with elephants at our elephant sanctuary. This is not the zoo, you will be right there with the elephants; feeding, bathing, grooming, painting and more with these amazing creatures!
Project overview
Project days:Project activities:Project fee:Project location:Accommodation:
What is includedAccommodation:Food:Airport Pickup:Orientation:Support:Drop off:
Not included
Volunteering at the Elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka
Near the city of Kegalle there is a little piece of paradise… Paradise to a small number of elephants at our elephant conservation project.
On your first day at the project you will be introduced to this piece of paradise and its inhabitants. You will partner up with one of the elephants to take good care of its well being. You will help with its feeding, bathing and grooming throughout your time at the project.
You won’t be alone as the elephant’s mahout will be there to help you at all times and teach you all about your elephant, its sounds, movements, moods, feelings, individual traits and its temperament. Symptoms of possible sickness and other issues won’t be missed out whilst learning about your elephant.
Elephant conservation volunteer requirements
As a volunteer you are expected to bring enthusiasm, willingness to contribute, accept and indulge yourself into the Sri Lankan culture, be open to different ideas, norms and values, be able to work independently and love elephants! Is this you than you should have the time of your life!
Activities at the Elephant conservation project
At the elephant sanctuary we have four types of volunteer activities:
- Daily care of your elephant as well as various administrative tasks such as research, museum maintenance, guiding tourists and sharing your knowledge and fundraising.
- Eco-farm. The eco-farm, used to produce fruits, vegetables and herbs for the elephants and the restaurant needs your help.
- Mobile veterinary unit (MVU). You will always be invited to assist us when visiting sick or wounded elephants with the MVU and to the Perahera (parades involving elephants)
- Teaching. Most volunteers surprise themselves with how much they love teaching at the informal after school club attended by children and adults. There is no need to have a teaching qualification.
Elephant volunteer project time table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6.30-7.30am | It is soooo early, but the sun is out and giving you lots of energy to meet your mahout, go to your elephant’s bed and clear up, do the daily dung count, go to the river, bathe your elephant and wash yourself under the elephant shower  . Next make the elephant vitamin balls, clear the grazing area and finally fill in the dung count in the elephants daily records. |
| 8.30am | Eat breakfast |
| 9.30am | Time to get serious and check your elephant’s health. Sweep and check its feet for damage and feed the vitamin ball. If you are lucky and are working with Lakshmi or Rani you might do elephant painting. |
| 10.00am – 12.00pm | Help out at the eco-farm |
| 12.00-2.00pm | You must be hungry by now so let’s do lunch. You could also go to town or simply relax at the project site. This is the hottest time of the day so a perfect time for a break. |
| 2.00-5.00pm | Various tasks ahead like: research and sourcing funding, museum displays, fundraising projects, bathing your elephant again, updating the blog/newsletter/twitter/youtube, setting up the grazing area and introducing enrichment games for the elephants. |
| *3.30-5pm | *Thursdays you can go to help in the human elephant conflict project in Habarana. This area is most affected by the human elephant conflict and you can travel here to see how the project is helping and to help maintain it.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you can help teach at the after school club. English conversational skills are the main teaching topic. No teaching experience required |
| The elephant volunteer project runs from Monday to Friday leaving the weekends for you to explore the country |
Touring Sri Lanka
Most volunteers at our elephant and other wildlife conservation projects love to explore Sri Lanka. We will gladly answer any questions you may have about touring the island and are happy to help you find out the best deals and give you a good indication of activities, quality, pricing and distance. Don’t hesitate to contact your in-country volunteer supervisor whose job and passion it is to help you enjoy your time in Sri Lanka.
Placement fee for this amazing project
£495 for 2 weeks, £115 for every week thereafter (why pay to volunteer?).
Book now, email bookings@leoproject.org
Experience the warm Sri Lankan culture
Sri Lanka offers a diverse culture and what better way to experience it than a staying right in the midst of it all. Your stay during the project will be at the elephant orphanage itself. You will have a chance to relax with other volunteers or simply lie back under the setting sun with a summer breeze and enjoy a good read in a very safe environment. You will be provided with three meals and tea Monday to Friday. Weekends are totally yours to explore this magnificent island where you will be warmly greeted by the locals where ever you go.
More information
For more information about Accommodation, flights, host family, local transport, project dates, project locations, sim cards, Sri Lanka itself, the first couple of days, the team behind LEO, travel & socializing, travel insurance, vaccinations, visa, volunteering in general and why you would pay to volunteer please visit our FAQ.
