We’re thrilled to be working with the award -winning NGO operating this genuine conservation initiative and headed by Conservationist and Turtle Specialist, Thushan Kapurusinghe.  This pioneering project has succeeding in finding the sensitive balance in which conservation and human development can work side by side.

 

The mission of the program is to "conduct research surveys education & awareness programmes community based conservation and management programmes to achieve the sustainable level of sea turtle populations in Sri Lanka".

 

5 out of the 7 global turtle species nest on beautiful beaches on the Southern coast of the 'Tear-drop' shaped island, but this is increasingly under threat due to the over exploitation of marine and coastal resources in Sri Lanka.

This is your chance as a volunteer to participate is something incredibly special!

 

Depending on the length of your stay, volunteers can get real hands-on experience with these beautiful but endangered creatures, over three different sites along the south coast, and contribute to local Community programs to heighten their experience in this humble part of Sri Lanka.

 

Activities included can be any or all of the following:

 

*Identify all five species of sea turtles that frequent the beaches of Sri Lanka

*Collect biometric data on each turtle

*Tag new migrants

*Locate nests by probing if a nest protector was not present when clutch was laid

* Measure and Weigh eggs

* Identify false crawls

*Perform nest excavations

* Collect biometric data on hatchlings

*Night patrols to establish locations of new nestings

* Be involved in the design of new concepts, strategies, and practical implementation of methods to further the turtle conservation efforts.

 

The minimum duration is a month - longer to achieve the maximum and connect with the local community. Some experience would be beneficial as volunteers can help in the Visitor Centre and with an increasing number of tourists who wish to experience this incredible but fragile event, so volunteers can assist with escorting small groups and ensuring they are keeping to the strict guidelines in place during a night watch.

Much of the Turtle conservation work is carried out at night, so during the day, volunteers can help with teaching English to the local village children, can learn and assist the traditional local craft of batik making, help with the NGO's Mangrove Protection program and a host of other activities if you have relevant skills to share!

Volunteer accommodation will normally be in a home stay which offers and authentic experience of rural Sri Lanka and its' people. You’ll have lots of free time to further explore this diverse island! We can arrange tours and excursion for you whilst in the country, and the southern region hosting these programs has so much wildlife to offer, including blue whale watching just 20 km from the Turtle sites, and hundreds of Dolphin can be seen out at sea off nearby Dondra Head through the season January to April!

There are no set dates to join this program - we work with many islands that require volunteers all year round, from a minimum 4 weeks' stay to a total of 9 months! Full trip notes and in-country briefing will be given on arrival in Sri Lanka.