Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society

The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society addresses one of the biggest environmental and socioeconomic crises in Sri Lanka which is human-elephant conflicts. Annually 225 elephants are killed by farmers for damaging their crops, property and lives. Our efforts have made it possible for elephants and people to coexist. In 2008, the SLWCS received a UNDP Equator Prize for its innovative and pioneering efforts to protect people and elephants. We are striving to make elephants valuable to the local communities alive rather than dead, by engaging, training and paying locals to be involved in their conservation together with scientists and volunteers and by developing a sustainable tourism program in the area. Volunteers are crucial for the success of these projects and programs.