Overview

Join our educational internship and immerse yourself in the daily difficulties that elephants face in Sri Lanka, where you will participate by gathering crucial data that will help towards solving the human-elephant conflict.

Greetings from the heart of Sri Lanka, where verdant landscapes meet majestic elephants grazing free in their natural habitat. We are delighted to invite you to join us on our important journey to help save the livelihoods of elephants in Sri Lanka.

The coexistence of humans and elephants on our lovely island nation has been both a blessing and a difficulty. The Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) is a major threat to both local inhabitants and elephant populations. As human settlements expand into elephant habitats, disputes over resources emerge, resulting in property damage, crop raiding, and, sadly, casualties on both sides.

We are on a mission to bridge the gap and promote harmony between elephants and humans. Our Elephant Conservation Project is at the forefront of efforts to reduce the HEC using data-driven techniques and community engagement.

As an intern, you’ll get to work with our committed team of researchers and conservationists. You’ll travel through deep jungles and large tea estates to gather critical data about elephant movements, behaviour, and interactions with humans.

We’re solving the riddles of elephant behaviour and ecology using techniques including GPS monitoring, video traps, and behavioural observations. This data is more than simply numbers on a spreadsheet; it is essential for understanding the HEC’s complex dynamics and developing successful dispute resolution strategies.

But our conservation activities go beyond data collection. We are deeply dedicated to working with local communities to promote awareness and resilience. From organising community workshops on elephant behaviour to implementing sustainable livelihood projects, we are empowering people to coexist peacefully with their pachyderm neighbours.

And here’s the exciting part: the skills you’ll learn during this internship will serve as a springboard for a future career in conservation. From field research methodologies to community involvement initiatives, you’ll gain vital skills and hands-on experience that will help you stand out in the competitive world of conservation.

So, if you’re passionate about conservation, love elephants, and want to make a real impact in the world, join us on this fantastic journey. Let’s work together to create a future in which elephants and people may coexist peacefully.

This Elephant Conservation Internship itinerary is an Example of a two-week program, The Program is available for 2 to 12 weeks:

Information:

Life on the Internship: Please note that this is an example of the activities on the internship, and the timing and activities will change based on the needs of the project. Team A & B also get a chance to swap, and you will take part in all activities on offer.

Accommodation: 

The design of the field house is perfect for the climate and terrain in which it is situated; it is very open to the outdoors, which helps to keep the house relatively cool during the hot days and nights and dry during the rainy season. Private accommodation is included in your experience with us.

Facilities on site: 

  • accommodation included,
  • food included,
  • cooking facilities,
  • electricity,
  • local shops,
  • near-by medical centre,
  • refillable drinking water,
  • cold shower,
  • western toilet.
  • Electric fans,
  • mosquito nets,
  • pillows and clean bed-sheets are provided.
  • All meals are freshly prepared every day and there is a 24/7 tea and coffee station.
  • Vegan and vegetarian meals are provided.
  • There is good mobile phone coverage. Volunteers are advised to purchase SIM cards from local service providers with data for WiFi access. Facilities to charge electronic equipment is available throughout the house.

We have teamed up with Conservation Careers to include their flagship Conservation Career Kick-Starter this tour. We want to make conservation more mainstream and give everyone the chance to learn more and have a great impact not only on their CVs but also on our world. The Conservation Career Kick-Starter is a comprehensive programme of training, support communities, and jobs designed to get you hired quicker as a professional wildlife conservationist. Within the programme are three career-boosting elements to turn your dreams into reality. You can read more about the Kick-Starter here.

Sample Tour Itinerary:

Monday: Day 1

Each internship will start with an ice breaker and orientation, where you will get introduced to the field staff and the programme activities you will be participating in.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank-monitoring. Here you will learn how to take relevant photos and data to identify elephants by recording their physical features and other markings on their bodies. You will also collect elephant behavioural data to develop an elephant ethogram. The purpose is to gather data on elephants and observe other wildlife.

Team B will go to the Tree Hut and observe human-elephant conflict and interactions in an ancient elephant corridor. The purpose is to understand the issues of human-elephant conflicts.

You will return to camp by 7pm, clean and put away field equipment, refresh and relax, and have dinner. In the evening, you will enter the data collected, watch a documentary and form a discussion with the group.

Tuesday: Day 2

The first thing you can do is go birding and observe nature around the camp. This is an optional activity to get familiar with the field site, understand the diversity of birds, and experience amazing sunrises.

After breakfast, teams will leave on separate assignments to conduct elephant foraging transects, dung transects, and trail mapping. During this time, you will observe other wildlife and birds, look for leopard and sloth bear signs, and observe various habitats.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring, and Team B will go to the tree hut.

In the evening, you have an optional activity to learn about nocturnal animals. On this road trip, you will spot reptiles, amphibians, and other nocturnal wildlife. There might be some elephant encounters.

Wednesday: Day 3

Leave early for Sunrise Rock to view the sunrise and hike along the lakeshore, where you will observe local wildlife and birds. This is an optional activity where you can enjoy the scenery, appreciate nature, and learn about local ecology and conservation issues.

Later in the morning, both teams will leave to monitor two solar powered electric fences erected to stop elephants from raiding crops and village homes. Help to repair the fences if elephants have damaged them during the night. The objective of this is to understand the importance of community participation for conservation success.

In the afternoon, the entire group will leave on a safari to Wasgamuwa National Park. Observe elephants and other wildlife in the park. Collect data for the elephant ID catalogue and elephant ethogram.

Thursday: Day 4

After breakfast, Leave to conduct Human–Elephant Conflict (HEC) surveys. Interviewing villagers and gathering data about elephants, property, crop and people damages. Visit elephant damaged houses and farm lands. The purpose of this is to identify major concerns of conflict between human and elephants to mitigate HEC .

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring and Team B will go to the Tree Hut.

Friday: Day 5

First thing, birding and observing nature around camp.

After breakfast, the entire group will work on the Butterfly Sanctuary. Weeding, planting and watering host plants, identifying butterflies and helping to create micro-habitats for specific species. The purpose is to understand the importance of maintaining habitats and to appreciate the diversity and ecological role of butterflies.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring and Team B will go to the Tree Hut.

At 9pm there is an optional activity: Small Wild Cat Study. Collect data on Fishing, Jungle and Rusty-spotted cats through direct observations using night vision scopes and thermal cameras.

Saturday: Day 6

First thing, the teams will leave to the Sunrise Rock to view the sunrise and hike along the lakeshore – observe local wildlife and birds.

After breakfast, the teams will go to several villages to observe citrus groves that have been set up to act as elephant deterrents while providing the villagers with a supplementary income. Gather data on these projects including assessing the growth, vigour and status of citrus groves. Here you will experience holistic approaches to human-elephant conflict mitigation.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring and Team B will go to the Tree Hut.

Sunday: Day 7

Day off

Monday: Day 8

First thing, birding and observing nature around camp.

After breakfast, teams will leave to check on sand and camera traps. Collect camera data cards and if needed help set new cameras and sand traps. The purpose is to learn how remote cameras and sand traps help to identify animals that are shy and illusive.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring and Team B will go to the Tree Hut.

Tuesday: Day 9

First thing, birding and observing nature around camp.

After breakfast, teams will leave on separate assignments to conduct elephant foraging transects, dung transects and trail mapping. During this time they will observe other wildlife, birds, look for leopard and sloth bear signs, and observe various habitats.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring and Team B will go to the Tree Hut.

Later at night, go on a night safari to observe nocturnal wildlife in the field house.

Wednesday: Day 10

First thing, the teams will leave to the Sunrise Rock to view the sunrise and hike along the lakeshore  observe local wildlife and birds.

After breakfast, Leave to conduct pug mark surveys along stream banks. Look for pug marks of small mammals to identify them and to understand their distribution. The purpose is to gather information on some of the most elusive species.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring and Team B will go to the Tree Hut.

Thursday: Day 11

First thing, birding and observing nature around camp.

After breakfast, leave to conduct Human–Elephant Conflict (HEC) surveys. Interviewing villagers and gathering data about elephants, property, crop and people damages. Visit elephant damaged houses and farmlands.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring and Team B will go to the Tree Hut.

Friday: Day 12

First thing, birding and observing nature around camp.

After breakfast, The teams will go to several villages to observe citrus groves that have been set up to act as elephant deterrents while providing the villagers with a supplementary income. Gather data on these projects including assessing the growth, vigor and status of citrus groves.

In the afternoon, Team A will go tank monitoring and Team B will go to the Tree Hut.

Later at night, Small Wild Cat Study. Collect data on Fishing, Jungle and Rusty-spotted cats through direct observations using night vision scopes and thermal cameras.

Saturday: Day 13

First thing, the teams will leave to the Sunrise Rock to view the sunrise and hike along the lakeshore – observe local wildlife and birds.

After breakfast, Leave to conduct pug mark surveys along stream banks. Look for pug marks of small mammals to identify them and to understand their distribution.

In the afternoon, the teams will go Tank Monitoring. Learn how to take photos and data to identify elephants by recording their physical features and other markings on their bodies. Collect elephant behavioural data to develop an elephant ethogram.

Sunday: Day 14

If this is your last day, you will pack up and be transferred to the airport. Other volunteers continue and rotate through the activities.

Highlights:

  • Cultural integration
  • Data/statistical skills
  • Field research skills
  • Gain a qualification or credit
  • Remote scenic location
  • Report writing
  • Chance to undertake your own research
  • GIS analysis
  • Animal interaction
  • Community awareness
  • Data collection/analysis
  • Habitat restoration/management
  • Conservation Career Kick-Starter Course

Inclusions:

  • Conservation Careers Kick-Starter Course
  • Conservation Training
  • Accommodation Provided
  • 100% Financial Protection & Security with TTA
  • Responsible Travel

Exclusions:

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Optional excursions
  • Sri Lanka Tourism Visa
  • Expenses of a personal nature

Reserve your place or ask a question