Conservation work in Sri Lanka

On the small island Sri Lanka the general extension of residential areas leads to an increase in overlapping habitats of humans and wildlife. As a result of those overlapping territories harsh conflicts between wildlife and the local population arise. Animals and especially elephants cause major damages in crop and properties and as the residents try to drive them out, many of them suffer injuries that might even be fatal. To support the work on the conflict, you will assist experienced scientists and staff members in generating data about the local wildlife in direct and indirect field studies. You will gather information about the endangered Asian Elephant, carnivores like leopards, sloth bears, the golden palm civet and many others. Besides the animals themselves you will also research their habits and territories as well as the tropical ecosystem in general. Moreover you will support the dialogue with the population and together you will develop conservation programmes with the environmental and socio-economic data you generated. Also the environmental education is an important element of the conservation work. As a volunteer you will be part of a sustainable conservation project and experience the local culture as well as Sri Lanka´s unique nature up close.