Elephant Volunteer Experience Mawanella Sri Lanka

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1 Project overview Take the opportunity of a lifetime working closely with majestic elephants in the beautiful setting of Sri Lanka! Such a privilege to spend time during your gap year volunteering to assist in the care of the beautiful creatures. Elephant conservation is a priority of the Sri Lankan authorities due to their natural and cultural significance within the country. They are dedicated to promoting the health and survival of all elephants whether domesticated or living in the wild. As a participant on the project, you will contribute to the work of the mahouts (elephant handlers) as they strive to ensure that the elephants live as natural a life as possible. The sense of well being you will have from ensuring these animals are well looked after will be immeasurable. You will gain a wealth of experience from assisting the mahouts with their daily routines of care and interaction. You will take part in feeding the elephants, cleaning them at the river and ensuring their enclosures are kept clean. It is also likely that you will assist with finding foods in the forest and helping veterinary practitioners to treat the elephants if they fall ill. Please Note: Projects start on a Monday, however you should arrive over the weekend on either Saturday or Sunday. Page 1/5

2 What's included: - 24/7 support in case of emergencies - Accommodation - Airport Pick up - English speaking coordinator - Meals - Orientation What's not included: - Airport drop off - Flights Page 2/5

3 - Travel insurance - Vaccination - Visa Project itinerary Monday to Friday You can expect your days to be active and varied, consisting of tasks that meet the elephants needs. Each day will begin early and you will carry out essential but enjoyable feeding and cleaning activities with the elephants, including cleaning the elephant enclosures. Bath time for the elephants takes place at the river and you re guaranteed to have fun as the elephants enjoy playing in the water. Mahouts encourage you to take part in the fun with the elephants so you re guaranteed a soaking from their powerful trunks! Before the elephants eat, you need to prepare their meal of Kithul logs and other types of branches which you ll help to cut. Weighing between 3 and 4 tons, elephants are capable of eating around 250 to 350 kilograms of food each day. While they re satisfying their hunger, you ll have time to relax and find refreshments for yourself. In the afternoon and late evening, you ll have a chance to bond with individual elephants as they are cared for by their specifically assigned mahout. During your free time you will have the opportunity to go on free excursions to local attractions. ***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.*** Page 3/5

4 APPLICATION FORM Booking ref: Fullname Nationality Passport number Age Male Female Date of birth address Phone number Flight Details Home address Contact person at home (In case of an emergency) Contact number (In case of an emergency) Do you have any health problems or allergies we should know about? To complete your placement we will require the following: Page 4/5

5 - Copy of your passport - CV - Full flight itinerary - Proof of travel insurance - Consent to travel for young people over 17 but under 18 years old (see attached consent form attached) Page 5/5