SUMMARY:

You'll assist in treating injured and sick sea turtles, protecting nests, and rescuing eggs so that they can be hatched without incident in the safety of our hatchery. Apart from treating injured and sick sea turtles, you'll also be involved in protecting nests and rescuing eggs so that they can be hatched without incident in the safety of our hatchery.

Daily tasks involve cleaning the turtle tanks, feeding and cleaning the turtles, cleaning the beach and general area and identifying different kinds of turtles.

DESCRIPTION:

In the battle to prevent the extinction of these beautiful creatures, which are now classed as a critically endangered species, we have many diverse challenges that we seek to address. Many turtles fall victim to the practices of commercial fishing and are in need of veterinary care. Protecting nests and rescuing eggs to bring to the safety of our hatchery, are daily activities where our volunteers make a substantial difference. This work is based at our centre on the beach near Ambalangoda, in the southern part of the island, in an area where most tourists are denied access.

Your work here will be exceptionally varied, but also immensely interesting and rewarding, especially when you witness the release of a turtle back to the sea, often after many months of care.

However, before we reach that stage there is much work to be done, work that is often far from glamorous, but it does have its plus side, in that you are doing it in what must be one of the most beautiful spots in Sri Lanka, if not the world.

In addition to those mentioned already, day-to-day activities include:

  • Cleaning the beach and general area
  • Cleaning the turtle tanks
  • Cleaning the turtles' shells
  • Feeding
  • And for the artistically inclined there may well be various painting projects
  • We often run ‘Awareness Camps’ for groups of tourists who make a special trip to this area to see our work. While you are with us, you'll gain the expertise to enable you to assist in some of the instruction.
  • We also work closely with many local and international conservation partners and regularly collect data to ensure our efforts are having the results we desire, and you will also be part of this data collection process.

EXAMPLE SCHEDULE:

You'll work with the Coordinator at the project where you can learn about, and take part in, the following:

  • The collection of eggs
  • Identifying different kinds of turtles
  • Hatching of the eggs
  • Treatment for injured and sick turtles
  • Feeding the turtles
  • Cleaning of the turtle tanks
  • Cleaning the turtles
  • Releasing turtles into the sea
  • Explaining about the turtles to visitors
  • You'll also get the chance to learn about sea plants.

ACCOMMODATION:

All accommodation is included during your stay on our program within the schedules/ itineraries provided. Living is comfortable and all volunteer houses and home stays have electricity and running water. Wi-Fi / Internet is not availale, however there are internet cafés available closer to the volunteer house and in the city.

FOOD: Meals will be provided three times a day during the week and twice during the weekend (breakfast and lunch combine to become brunch during the weekend). Breakfast is self-service with toast, fruits, tea and coffee. Sri Lankan foods include roti bread, dal (Lentil Soup) and curries, vegetables, salads, milk and yogurt. Meat is rarely eaten, except on festive occasions.

Weekends are free to relax, and to explore the local area.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.