International turtle conservation trip!

Meghan McGee Start Date: Aug 19, 2024 - End Date: Nov 1, 2024
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Meghan McGee Start Date: Aug 19, 2024 - End Date: Nov 1, 2024
For my birthday this year, I want is to travel and do so with a purpose. I want to take my first international trip to Sri Lanka to volunteer with the turtle conservation project.  Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is an island nation set off the south-east coast of India, also home to a vast array of beaches, Buddhas and big wildlife like elephants and whales. I will be staying in a dorm with multiple other volunteers with one focussed goal; the turtles. The first week of my travel will be an orientation and integration period that will take place in Kandy and consist of diving deeper into the culture and activities. It will include an introduction to Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan customs, rules and expectations, safety in Sri Lanka as well as basic Sinhala language lessons. I will also be introduces to a Buddhist monastery, a trip to local spice gardens and the famous Temple of the Tooth. I will also get to take a Sri Lankan cooking class, and a Batik lesson. My second week will begin the The Turtle Conservation Project, based in the small town of Ambalangoda on the southern coast. There are 22 turtle conservations in Sri Lanka and the organization I will be working with is the only government certified project which does not allow tourist visits and their only focus is caring for turtles and promoting conservation and recycling awareness in the local community. My main tasks while on the project: 
Cleaning turtles and their tanks
Sourcing and preparing food
Feeding the turtles
Assisting with beach cleaning
Maintaining hatcheries
Relocating eggs to protect them from predators
Releasing hatchlings
  • Sri Lanka