Elephant Orphanage Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka

  Sri Lanka

Pinnawela

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All year

Description: At Pinnawela they attempt to simulate, in a limited way, the conditions in the wild, and as often as possible.

Animals are allowed to roam freely during the day and a herd structure allowed to form.
08.00 The babies are fed on milk in the mornings and allowed to range freely on the 12 acres large grassland.

10.00 Each morning and afternoon 14.00 the animals are walked 400 meters to the river Maha Oya for a two-hour bath.
Between 16.30 and 18.00 in the evening the animals are taken to their stalls and tethered for the night.

They are then given their evening feed which is milk again for the babies and leaves for the older ones. Plenty of food and water is available. The leaves are mainly Coconut leaves (Cocos nucifera), but also branches from Jackfruit (Artocarpus integra), leaves, branches and logs of Kitul palm tree (Caryoty urens). The elephants are stall fed. There is very little food material that they can gather from the premises of the orphanage except grass. Large quantities of food are brought in daily. Jackfruit, coconut, kitul, tamarind and grass form the bulk of the food given to the elephants at Pinnawela.

Each animal gets approximately 75 kg of green matter a day and in addition each gets 2kg of a food mixture containing maize, rice bran, powdered gingili seed and minerals. They have access to water twice a day from the river Maha Oya that runs by the Orphanage.

Highlights: This area of Sri Lanka is in a hot jungle with all the sights and sounds to match. Despite being a major tourist attraction the work the center does in Elephant conservation is crucial and the income from tourism does support this. Elephants are incredible animals and a joy to work with. This outdoors adventure would certainly create some lasting memories.

The area of Pinnawela has much to see and do. Also worth visiting is the city of Kandy. Here you can visit the botanical gardens, temple of the tooth and witness some of Sri Lankas finest festivals. Kandy is Sri Lankas cultural capital and its surrounded by stunning scenery. You may even catch the chance to see snake charmers and fire walkers on your visits.

Qualifications: Flexible, fit people who have a love for Elephants.

Cost in US$: see website

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: As a volunteer you will bath the elephants in the river, clean out and maintain their enclosures, and feed the baby elephants all with the help of the director of the handlers (who are known as Mahouts) Volunteers are expected to do a variety of tasks set including fairly physical work like removing Elephant dung, hosing down and working in hot tropical conditions. So this project would suit outdoor types who are fit and have a love of animals

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Application Process Involves:

• Resume

Inspire Volunteering's Mission Statement: To send groups of people to Kenya and Sri Lanka to contribute to the people and culture in a productive and meaningful way.

Year Founded: 2006