Online Sri Lankan elephant research and conservation course

Planet

The importance of the project
Asian elephant numbers have been falling dramatically for the last 100 years, in part due to human-elephant conflict. This project is the first participatory, community-based, elephant research and conflict resolution project in the world.

Protecting the world
We are passionate about encouraging our online-travellers to be kind to the environment even as they stay at home. Each participant receives advice about how to care for the environmen - this includes water usage, how to avoid single use plastic, and electricity usage.

Reducing carbon emissions
The wonderful thing about this project is that there are no carbon emissions. Staying at home and volunteering means that you will protect the planet and help an inspirational charity, but also gain that cultural immersion into life in rural Sri Lanka. It's a win-win situation!

Planting a tree for you
For each volunteer that joins us, whether online or in person, we plant a tree in Africa. These trees are then used within local communities to create a sustainable future for local people, as well as promoting their environment.

People

Meeting local needs
As well as helping to protect elephants and other animals, this project is mainly focussed on helping to improve human - elephant conflict issues. Elephants, traditionally able to roam where they pleased through the wild, are now having to forage for food in fields and homes. Locals find this hard to live alongside, and this project strives to understand more about the elephants' behaviour so that more farms will be protected. Projects to put elephants off going into farmland are completed, such as planting orange trees around field boundaries to protect crops- elephants hate oranges!

Cultural sensitivity
We emphasise the importance of showing respect for local people and their customs in our briefing material. Participants will work alongside permanent staff, forming close bonds and getting an insight into real life in rural Sri Lanka. During the coronavirus pandemic, it has been essential not to let the community feel abandoned. This volunteer project has enabled the staff to keep interacting in the village and keep making positive steps forward.