Whether you&rsquore chasing the perfect picture of a tiger in India or looking to spend some time with the elephants in Sri Lanka, there are experiences galore when it comes to wildlife that adds an immersive element to your travel. However, it bodes well to know more about these beautiful creatures who are under grave threat and the conservation projects that hope to give them a second chance.
Saving Elephants in Sri Lanka
One hundred years ago, 20,000 wild Asian elephants inhabited the country. Today, the number stands at 5,000. Founded in 1997, the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society is a non-governmental organisation committed to developing a sustainable model for wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka, starting with the endangered elephant. They work towards mitigating human-elephant conflict Project Orange Elephants implements a unique technique to do so. Having understood the animal&rsquos aversion to citrus plants, the organisation planted trees around the farms and homes to prevent elephants from raiding the crops.
Conserving vultures in Africa
Declines in vulture populations have devastating impacts in fact, seven of the 11 species that occupy ranges in Africa are categorised as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Malawi boasts several important vulture habitats and is thought historically to have acted as an essential stepping-stone between southern and eastern African vulture populations. It is here where LWC hopes to make a difference. Established in 2009, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (LWC) is Malawi&rsquos only wildlife rescue facility. They put camera traps to capture the bird count and act to rescue and rehabilitate injured species.
Protecting turtles in Greece
While Greece is loved for its pristine beaches, the country is also on the map for another reason &ndash it is a nesting site for one of the world&rsquos most endangered marine species the Loggerhead turtle. ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece was founded in 1983 and aims to protect sea turtles and their habitats in Greece through research, public awareness campaigns, restoring habitats, and through its rescue centre, built in 1994. Their primary activity involves monitoring about 75 km of major nesting beaches daily by teams of volunteers every summer since 1983 (Zakynthos, Peloponnesus and Crete) and creating educational programs for over 12,000 pupils each year.