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Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka

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  • Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Project Summary

What is the Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka project all about?

Volunteer with us on a turtle conservation project in Sri Lanka and help a local team protect five endangered species of turtle. Sri Lanka is home to the Hawksbill, Green, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley and Leatherback varieties of turtles which are highly sought after. The area is a nesting ground for these species, so the aims of the project are protecting the breeding grounds and monitoring turtle activities in the Indian ocean, on Sri Lanka’s beautiful coastline.

The conservation and research centre employs 5 staff and the focus of their work is to protect these five species which are under threat from locals, tourists and export demands. The demand for turtle meat, eggs and turtle shells is growing. Turtle meat is seen as an aid to fertility, the shells to decorate hair combs, and the eggs as an aphrodisiac. The turtles are also under threat from the fishing industry. Often turtles are injured through becoming caught in fishing nets which remain untreated, as well as being food for other sea creatures. Spend your time volunteering with other marine enthusiasts and protect Sri Lanka’s endangered turtle population.


Why choose this Turtle Conservation project?

  • Provide a much needed extra pair of hands to a small team of 5 local members.
  • Contribute to a concerted global effort of saving the turtles, classified as endangered, especially as poaching has increased due to its by-products including their shells becoming popular.
  • Feel the reward of contributing to marine conservation and protecting this species while enjoying a lovely beach setting.

Role of the Conservation Volunteer

The project focuses on 3 main elements: patrols to clean and protect the habitats, caring for the turtles and educating the local community to ensure that they understand the impact of fishing and farming of turtles. Specific activities in which volunteers may be involved include:

  • protecting turtle nests through beach patrols and beach cleaning
  • collecting turtle eggs to enable them to hatch in a safer environment
  • caring for injured turtles (if needed)
  • feeding turtles and releasing turtles back into the sea
  • monitoring activities
  • working with the local team to develop educational materials for local communities

Volunteer shifts will fit in with the local team’s needs and may include some evening and night work as beach patrols are required at various times of the day as female turtles often lay their eggs at night. It is possible to add on weekend excursions to this placement, please speak to an advisor.


What skills do I need to be a Conservation Volunteer in Sri Lanka?

Volunteers participating in this turtle conservation project in Sri Lanka will be expected to be physically fit, enjoy the outdoors and feel comfortable working as part of a team. You will be asked to send in your CV/Resume for this placement.

REQUEST MORE INFO   RESERVE YOUR PLACE

WHY JOIN THE PROJECT

To protect Sri Lanka’s endangered turtle population

Because you want to become a responsible global citizen through education

To spend your days at the beach

FEATURED VIDEO

PROJECT TESTIMONIALS

Sabbir’s Sri Lanka Experience
"My initial reaction was complete disbelief. Winning was so unexpected that it took a while for me to accept that it was really happening. I work in sustainability and talk about it constantly; it’s something I’ve always had a passion for. So the prospect of being able to work in conservation an ...
Sabbir S.
READ FULL EXPERIENCE
Karen’s Sri Lanka Experience
"What an amazing place to spend my birthday! The host family are very welcoming and friendly, we sat last night talking about the Sri Lankan culture and their family and friends. The food is delicious!! The project is fantastic! Everyone is very friendly and I have already led three groups today ...
Karen S.
READ FULL EXPERIENCE
The Location

Where will I work in Sri Lanka?

About the Location

Sri Lanka is a lush green island where tea is the main crop. It has stunning landscapes, lush forests, crashing waterfalls and a lovely coastline. To the north there are colourful Hindu temples, and the North Central Valley of the Kings is set in mountains covered with tropical forest. The central highlands have tea gardens, waterfalls and mountains all covered in low hanging mist, adding to their mystery. The west coast is where Colombo, the capital, is located with its mix of religions, history and sites.

Accommodation

Upon arrival, all volunteers will stay in a volunteer house based in Colombo. Those on our Turtle Conservation project will head to homestay accommodation on the coast the following day. You will be based on a beach location approximately 75 kilometres from Sri Lanka’s capital city in a place called Kosgoda. This is also approximately 20 kms from Galle – another popular tourist destination.

In Kosgoda you will be staying with home stay family with basic facilities, including running water and toilets and home cooked food, near to the project or at the project site. There will be up to 3 people sharing and most families can speak some English. Bedrooms are equipped with all basic amenities and you will be provided with bed sheets a mosquito net and toilet roll.

What to do in your spare time

In Kosgoda, you can head out to internet cafes, visit supermarkets, watch TV or catch up on the day’s events with other volunteers. Alternatively, spend time getting to know more about your homestay family and gain a good insight into Sri Lankan culture. Volunteers like to travel on the weekends and there are plenty of options. For example, why not take an overnight trip on a weekend to Kandy? It is a popular option and the more of you that go the cheaper it is because of the price for hiring a car. Galle is a great weekend destination with its old walls and streets or alternatively travel to Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, where there is a stunning park opposite the town hall, the Museum of Natural History, botanical gardens and the amazing Hindu and Buddhist temples. And for those of you who are happy to go further afield why not travel to Yala National Park, Anuradhapura or Kandy for a change of scenery from your beachfront project location.

 

Details & Costs

  • Duration: 2-8 weeks
  • Cost: Sri Lanka Volunteering:
    £1316 / $2055 for 2 weeks
    £362 / $565 for every extra week

    Sri Lanka Volunteering and Travel:
    £1603 / $2502 for 2 weeks
    £2082 / $3250 for 3 weeks
    £2561 / $3998 for 4 weeks
    £2924 / $4564 for 5 weeks
    £362 / $565 for every extra week
  • Requirements: Age 17+
  • Location: South Coast, Sri Lanka
  • Working hours: Shift work, Monday to Friday, 6 hours per day
  • Project availability: All year round
  • Arrival day: Monday

What is included

  • Accommodation: Shared bedroom with 3 beds in a simple local homestay, with mosquito nets, access to a flushing toilet, TV. Single occupancy (£130 / $228 per week) or twin occupancy (£65 / $114 per week) can be booked subject to availability.
  • Food: 3 meals per day
  • Airport pickup and drop off from Colombo International Airport
  • Training: Pre-departure pack and project induction provided
  • Orientation and 1st night overnight stay on arrival in Colombo
  • Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator
  • Fundraising Guide
  • Working alongside qualified professionals
  • Additional services for participants on the Travel and Volunteer option.
    • 1 night, 2 day Excursions** to:
      • Anuradhapura (weekend 1)
      • Udawalawe National Park including safari (weekend 2)
      • Kandy (weekend 3)
      • Hikkaduwa Beach (weekend 4)
        ** note that the excursions may vary weekends depending on the number of participants on site, so speak with your advisor prior to your arrival.
    • Services included during trips:
      • Entrance fees to monuments and sightseeing as required.
      • Services of English-speaking guides during sightseeing.
      • Accommodation on twin sharing basis.

What is not included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Visas
  • Police/Government Background Check; US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies) all other nationalities must provide local police check.
  • Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country

 

Gallery

Pictures from our Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka project

Holding turtle Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Volunteer group Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Baby turtles Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Turtle eggs Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Baby turtle in hand Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Turtle statues Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Three turtles Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Turtle in water Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Homestay from outside Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Local cuisine Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
Bunk beds Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka

2022 Dates

  Start Days
January 10th, 24th
February 7th, 21st
March 7th, 21st
April 4th, 18th
May 2nd, 16th, 30th
June 13th, 27th
July 11th, 25th
August 8th, 22nd
September 5th, 19th
October 3rd, 17th, 31st
November 14th, 28th
December 12th, 26th

Easy 4-step application process

APPLY ONLINE

Click here to apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.

CONFIRMATION

Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.

GET PREPARED

When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.

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