Elephant conservation in Sumatra, Indonesia

The aim of the project is to assist the local governmental Elephant Conservation Centre in looking after elephants. The Elephant Conservation Centre Seblat was established in October 1992, located in District Putri Hijau, North Bengkulu (also known as Southwest Sumatra). On the basis of Forestry Ministry Decree, this conservation centre lies on 6.865 hectare of land. In this area, there are various flora and fauna species which are protected, such as tapir, deer, various kinds of snakes, gibbon, hoop, monkey, monkey tail short, wild elephants, and various kinds of birds. Last year there were 11 tamed elephants, both male and female, who were being taken care of by the conservation centre. The area is located in the middle of the rural region Seblat, surrounded by rubber and oil palm forest. This place can be reached either by car or by bus for approximately 5 hours from the airport or Bengkulu City. There are 4 neighboring villages closeby: Suka Maju, Suka Merindu, Suka Baru and Suka Medan.

The volunteers will help local mahouts daily to take care of the elephants starting from bathing/showering, feeding, health checking and grassing the elephants. One local mahout will be accompanied by two volunteers in doing the daily job.

During the free time, the volunteers may have a forest safari with a local mahout with a camp fire, fishing, as well as swimming in the middle of the forest. The volunteers can enjoy the beauty of the landscape around the project site.

The project will take place in Bengkulu, on the southwest coast of the island of Sumatra.

More info and other available projects in Indonesia: www.cadip.org/volunteer-in-indonesia.htm

Volunteer opportunities in other countries: www.cadip.org