Ambalangoda - Turtle Conservation Project

This week introduces you to the culture and people of Sri Lanka. You will be given an orientation and taught about safety, transport, religion and told about other culturally acceptable practices. You will visit several temples including the Temple of the Tooth, have an Ayurvedic massage and witness a traditional Kandyan dance performance. The Culture Week also includes language lessons, a Sri Lankan cooking lesson and learning Sri Lankan traditions by practice. Apart from all the sights you take in, this week will also have you eating lots of delicious Sri Lankan food. Please note that after the Culture Week, you will be transferred to Ambalangoda by train. The ticket must be paid for locally.

Ambalangoda is a coastal town located in Galle District, Southern Province of Sri Lanka. This little town by the ocean is a sweaty, workaday town, and not touristic. Ambalangoda is known as a Buddhist city in Sri Lanka. Ambalangoda is the place where "Masks" originated in Sri Lanka during the days of the kings and this is still thriving, although sometimes a bit modernized. In addition, the place is reputed for its golden beaches, puppet shows, devil dancing, moonstone, and antique furniture. Plantations of low country tea, rubber, coconut and cinnamon plantations and factories.

There are 7 species of turtles that live in the world and out of that, 5 species of turtles live in the Indian Ocean. Our program breeds and cares for 4 different species of turtles that live in the Indian Ocean: Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Green and Olive Ridley. There are around 30 disabled turtles living in the center and in a separate center we hatch hundreds of turtle eggs to be released to the ocean when born. The purpose of this organization is to give these marine animals an opportunity to survive in a safe and healthy environment. Sea Turtles are known to live around 150 years.

Helping and conserving these turtles is our highest priority. Smoking or drinking any sort of liquids as well as using sunscreen or chemicals on the parts of the skin that touches the water or turtle is strictly forbidden during project hours. Participants with open injuries in their hands should not work with turtles as infections may occur. The coordinators have a lot of experience in caring for these animals, so we ask to follow every instruction knowing it is in the turtle's best interest.

The aim of this project is to rescue injured turtles, medicate them, and release them back into the wild. As for the injured which are not fit to be released back into the wild, are kept at the rehabilitation center and taken care. These turtles propagate and the baby hatchlings are released into the ocean, thus increasing the number of turtles in the ocean.

Introduction Day
Your project starts with an introduction day on the first Monday including a tour of the area surrounding the accommodation, available facilities, cultural "do's and don'ts", safety concerns as well as some basic local language lessons.

Monday to Friday
The activities vary according to the beach weather conditions and the number of volunteers, but the time spent with these marvellous creatures is the main aim of our participants' involvement. This program requires dedication and support. Cleaning of the turtles, their tanks and the turtle conservation center are the things to do. It is vital to have a clean and hygienic center for these animals. You will be working from 8:30 until 13:00, after lunch at 13:15, your time is free to explore. Typical activities would include:

- Preparing food (fish) and feeding the turtles (every other day)
- Cleaning the tanks and changing water
- Cleaning the turtles
- Cleaning the beach and the turtle center - Beach cleaning takes place at the beach in front of the turtle center in an area of 200-300m. We basically clean the beach from plastic and plythene, which is a main cause of marine life extinction.
- Helping with the weekly release of over 100 newborn turtles into the ocean (depends on the weather and season).
- Sea Plant collection and feeding the turtles - this happens once or twice a month and depends on the weather and conditions of the sea.
- Sand changing - depending on the requirements, the team may decide to change the sand at the turtle hatchery
- Night Patrol - On pre-arranged days, the team will go on a night patrol along the beach to observe sea turtles nesting and laying eggs in natural environment. This usually takes place on full moon days. You will leave on the patrol at 20:30 and will continue until midnight. However, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to witness turtle sightings on every patrol.

We often run ‘Awareness Camps’ for groups of tourists who make a special trip to this area to see our work, and whilst with us the expertise you gain can allow 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.

Volunteers who are with us for longer than one month will also learn about the tree plantation, another area where your work can have a big long-term impact.

Please note that the schedule is subject to change according to the needs of the turtles, weather conditions, number of participants, the time of year etc.

Turtles lay eggs during the months from December to April every year. Even though it happens all year round, during these months it is very higher than in the other months.

The project is closed on public holidays.

2024
16-17 September
17 & 31 October
15 November
14 & 25 December

2025
13-14 January
04, 12 & 26 February
13 & 31 March
12-15 & 18 April
01 & 12-13 May
10 June
10 July
08 August
05 & 17 September
07 & 20 October
05 November
04 & 25 December

**New Year Holiday Week
The Orientation Week will be operating, but you will need to get your own transportation to the project.

Minimum age of 18
Basic level of competency in English
Travel & medical insurance
Police Clearance Certificate on sign-up
Passport copy required on arrival
Copy of online Visa approval
Participants with body tattoos need to cover them and those who have visible piercings (not ears) must take the ring/studs/etc out while at the placement
Using sunscreen, or any kind of lotions and mosquito repellents are not allowed to be used during all our turtle conservation projects.

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.