Day 1: Pinnalanda Hotel
On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will get a transfer to the Hotel Pinnalanda. This is a great place to rest and get yourself sorted for your project work. Here you can start your amazing journey with authentic Sri Lankan meals as well as continental cuisines, all of which can be enjoyed at the in-house restaurant while you watch the elephants from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage bathe and frolick in the Maya Oya River below.
Days 2 - 6: Project Work
Early morning pick up from your hotel. On arrival there is an introduction to SLWCS Marine Project, staff and program activities. There are so many things that can be done here and yet the program is laid out in an easy structure.
Normally there is one team but if there are many volunteers on a particular week then two teams are created. More opportunities to get lots of work done and to help the conservationists even further with data collection and environmental awareness.
Conservation work includes the following:
- Gathering information to help conserve threatened and endangered marine life such as sea turtles, pink dolphins, and dugongs.
- Observe dugongs, dolphins, and sea birds to collect spatial, temporal, population, and behavioural data.
- Participating in discussions with local villagers to make their marine-based livelihoods sustainable.
- Observing and assessing the myriad of other vertebrate and invertebrate species that make up the marine environment.
- Gathering data on sea grasses and mangroves.
Conservation research is a dynamic process where although the research goals are planned, the monthly and daily activities to achieve these goals depend on the local situation and can change dramatically.
Each day follows a similar structure but with variety on the projects that are visited, all of which are worthwhile and also informative. Start times alternate from 5.30 to 8.30 depending on the work needed.
Days 7 - 8: Safaris and other activities
There are a number of optional activities and activities to do over the weekend. Trips to the beaches can be organised in Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Arugam Bay and to the central mountain region to visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Little England, and tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya and the World’s End in Horton Plains.
The staff can help you with buses and travel and also with suggestions.
Days 9 - 13: Project Work
Continuation of the project and gaining more skills and confidence in your work at the SLWCS Marine Project. You will be familiar with how to run things and what to do. In your second week volunteers really get to grips with what is needed to help out the researchers.
The project component of the program will change slightly to give you variety in your work and also to give you the opportunity to see as much of the work that is happening and to give you the most time to help the research staff.
Day 14: return home
