Two Veterinarian Tours Are Offered Annually in December and February

Ele-Care Veterinarian Tour

Field-based elephant care learning in Sri Lanka
Pending tour dates: November 10–25, 2026 and January 10–25, 2027

The Ele-Care Veterinarian Tour is a rare opportunity for veterinarians, veterinary students, and conservation-minded participants to experience Sri Lanka’s elephant landscape through a field-based learning journey. Designed for those with a serious interest in wildlife medicine, elephant welfare, and conservation, this tour combines hands-on observation, case-based learning, and exposure to the cultural and ecological richness of Sri Lanka.

Built on relationships going back to 1998, this program offers participants the chance to learn alongside senior conservationists, with guidance and collaboration from government wildlife veterinarians and other experienced local practitioners. Rather than a classroom-style course, this is an immersive field experience focused on real conditions, real challenges, and real-world elephant care contexts.

Tour Overview

During this two-week program, participants will travel through key regions of Sri Lanka to explore the complex realities facing elephants across wild, orphaned, captive, temple, and tourism-related settings. Along the way, guests will gain deeper insight into elephant biology, behavior, welfare concerns, conservation management, and the human dimensions of elephant protection.

Field activities are shaped by local opportunity and conditions, allowing the tour to remain responsive to meaningful learning experiences as they arise. This flexible format makes it possible to observe and participate in a wide range of conservation and veterinary-related situations while benefiting from the knowledge of long-standing local collaborators.

What You’ll Learn

Participants may explore topics such as:

  • Elephant biology, behavior, welfare, and conservation management

  • Human-elephant conflict (HEC)

  • Orphaned elephant milk and calf care

  • Ethical parks and park transition models

  • Captive elephants, temple elephants, and ceremonial elephant issues

  • Habitat enrichment and wildlife corridors

  • Bull elephant retention centers and conflict response

  • Poaching, railway early-warning systems, and field safety

  • Avoiding an elephant attack

  • The role of elephants as ecosystem guardians

Why Join

This tour is ideal for those seeking meaningful, in-the-field learning rather than passive sightseeing. Participants benefit from:

  • Field observation and learning with experienced conservation teams

  • Insight into elephant welfare and conservation case work

  • Exposure to both wild and managed elephant contexts

  • Cross-cultural collaboration and local knowledge exchange

  • Access to years of accumulated training resources and readings

Resources & Training Materials

Participants will also be introduced to a range of educational resources developed through our ongoing work, including topics such as:

  • Training Guide for Elephant Tours

  • Living with Elephants Booklet

  • Guide for Ethical Parks

  • Asian Elephant Guardian

  • Selected blog articles, field topics, and archival readings

Cultural and Travel Experience

While the primary purpose of the tour is conservation learning, participants will also experience some of Sri Lanka’s extraordinary cultural and natural heritage. Depending on routing and field conditions, the journey may include time in or near regions such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, and Dambulla, along with scenic landscapes, village life, and other memorable aspects of the island.

Logistics

Participants are responsible for arranging their international airfare to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Airport pickup, ground transportation during the tour, accommodations, and meals are arranged by the program. Specific arrival and departure details, lodging information, and final itinerary guidance will be provided upon registration.

Cost & Inclusions

2026/2027 Program Fee: $3,950 USD
The 16-day program includes arrival and departure days and 14 days of field-based travel, conservation learning, and cultural exploration throughout Sri Lanka.

The program fee includes accommodations, meals, airport pickup and departure transfer, in-country ground transportation, scheduled park and site entrance fees, program coordination, educational materials, and field activities. International airfare, visas, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, and personal expenses are not included.

This is a small-group, field-based conservation experience developed through relationships in Sri Lanka dating back to 1998, combining elephant welfare and veterinary perspectives with senior conservationists and opportunities for guidance and collaboration with wildlife veterinary professionals.Personal expenses such as spa services, massage, salon appointments, alcoholic beverages, and other optional purchases are not included.

Additional Information

Participants interested in extending their time in Sri Lanka may be able to join other SavingGanesh.org programs before or after the tour. Some additional opportunities may involve conservation media or filmmaking-related projects. Please see our FAQ page for more information regarding deposits, payment schedules, participation details, and other important planning notes.

Who This Tour Is For

This program is especially well suited for:

  • Wildlife veterinarians

  • Veterinarians

  • Veterinary students

  • Conservation medicine professionals

  • Elephant welfare advocates

To learn more, please visit SavingGanesh.org.