If, you love animals both big and small, then knowing that your favourite travel destinations support the protection of wildlife will be extremely consoling. Luckily, there are some truly remarkable wildlife conservation projects in Asia and we’re here to talk you through the most inspiring ones. From the promotion of sustainable tourism to the protection of both planet, animals and humans, these impressive wildlife conservation projects in Southeast Asia will have you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside!
Community-led Elephant Conservation in Sri Lanka
As one of the best animal conversation projects in Asia, the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) collaborates with both people and animals to create a better world. The foundation addresses environmental and economic issues, by uniting locals with native wildlife.
Of all its initiatives, the SLWCS’s community-led human-elephant conservation scheme is possibly the best. On-going for more than 20 years, the project provides sustainable livelihoods for farmers, in order to stop elephant poaching in Sri Lanka.
The scheme was set up following a decline in wild elephant numbers (dropping from 20,000 to 5,000 in less than 100 years). The charity helps by educating locals and protecting agricultural crops to ease the conflict between people and elephants.
One of the very interesting solutions implemented is the PachyDRONE project. It helps to keep an eye on wild elephants (pachyderms) in their native habitat with the help of flying drones.
Essential info:
Website: https://www.slwcs.org/community-led-conservation
Tel: +94 729999520
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slwcs/
Thai Wildlife Hospital in Thailand
Created by the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), the Wildlife Hospital in Tha Mai Ruak looks after any animal in need. The first facility of its kind in Thailand, the hospital opened its doors in 2005 and helps hundreds of wild creatures every year.
The facility not only rescues neglected and abused animals but provides emergency medical treatment wherever needed. The staff at WFFT also dedicate themselves to life-long rehabilitation for wild creatures, making the hospital one of the most inspiring animal conservation projects in Southeast Asia.
Essential info:
Website: https://www.wfft.org/projects/wildlife-hospital/
Tel: +66 32-458135
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlife_friends_foundation/
Project Saving Burma
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Based in Australia, Wildlife Asia is a charity organization dedicated to saving animals across the Asian continent. Its scheme to preserve Burma’s Kayin State, home to tigers, leopards and plenty of endangered animals, is one of its finest.
Kayin State boasts some of the last pristine rainforests in Southeast Asia, and Wildlife Asia is on a mission to keep it that way. In order to aid durable conservation of the region, notably Salween Peace Park, Wildlife Asia is working with locals to support peace by funding wildlife protection rangers that care for, and keep watch of, this precious landscape.
As one of the most amazing wildlife conservation projects in Asia, Project Saving Burma will not only preserve a gorgeous natural area but also all the animals and people that reside there.
Essential info:
Website: http://wildlifeasia.org.au/_project_saving_burma/
Tel: +61 438 992 325
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlifeasia/
Responsible Tourism in Bali
It is a sad truth that tourism affects wildlife throughout Asia. Founded in 2007, the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) works to rescue animals across Indonesia, dealing directly with those mistreated for tourism gains.
Each year, almost four million people visit Bali and BAWA’s Responsible Tourism project encourages visitors to consider animal welfare before taking part in activities that could exploit them. To do so, BAWA is promoting animal welfare laws and aims to achieve tougher enforcement to protect Bali’s creatures, from dolphins to snakes. T
he organisation also provides emergency rescue, food, medication and rehabilitation facilities for Bali’s famous street dogs.
If you need more tips about travelling sustainably, take a look at our guide to being a responsible traveler in Asia and beyond and this infographic on sustainable travel in Bali.
Essential info:
Website: http://bawabali.com/our-programs/responsible-tourism/
Hotline: 081 138 9004
Marine Turtle Conservation by WWF
The WWF is one of the world’s leading wildlife preservation organisations, working globally to unite people and nature. With plenty of animal conservation projects in Southeast Asia, the WWF is dedicated to protecting the natural environment.
One of its most inspiring wildlife conversation projects in Asia aims to assist Hawksbill Turtles, whose numbers have rapidly decreased over the last 100 years. The WWF is currently supporting turtle conservation schemes in 45 countries, including Pacific Asia, to improve legal legislation, ensure the integrity of habitats and manage current marine turtle populations across the world.
Essential info:
Website: http://wwf.panda.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwf/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wwf
Forest Restoration and Conservation in Thailand
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Another key scheme organised by the WFFT aims to protect forests across Thailand. The Forest Restoration and Conservation secures our natural environment for future generations.
The WFFT is working to bring Thai forests back to their original state, to secure natural habitats and promote respect for the animals that reside in them. The amazing project has seen more than 150,000 trees planted across Thai jungles, which has increased bird numbers and has offered shelter and food for millions of native species.
Essential info:
Website: https://www.wfft.org/projects/forest-restoration-and-conservation/
Tel: +66 32-458135
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlife_friends_foundation/
Asian Rhino Conservation
The Rhino Conversation scheme is one of the most important wildlife conservation projects in Asia. The Greater One-Horned Rhino, and the Sumatran and Javan rhino are all endangered, due to poaching and human habitat invasion.
The Asian Rhino Project (ARP) are tackling this issue, alongside Wildlife Asia, to fund sanctuaries, protection units, surveys, rescue operations, medical programs and community education schemes, to save the lives of Asian rhinos.
The project even won a $20,000 community grant from Australian Ethical Super, proving that it is one of the most essential animal conservation projects in Asia.
Essential info:
Website: http://www.asianrhinos.org.au/
Tel: +61 438 992 325
Mahaweli River Waterkeeper in Sri Lanka
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Water is essential for both humans and animals, which is why the Mahaweli River Waterkeeper scheme is one of the most critical wildlife conservation projects in Southeast Asia.
A collaboration between The Waterkeeper Alliance and the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, the project ensures clean and abundant water for locals and creatures across Sri Lanka. The Mahaweli River is the largest in the country and makes up almost one-fifth of Sri Lanka’s total area, making it of great size and importance. Water levels and cleanliness are threatened by agricultural pollution, resulting in conflicts between people and wildlife.
The waterkeeper scheme endorses long-term, sustainable, community-based management of water levels, to protect this essential source for future generations.
Discover more about Sri Lanka’s most adorable animals, with our guide to the country’s unique, and super cute, wildlife.
Essential info:
Website: http://waterkeeper.org/
Tel: (212) 747-0622
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterkeeperalliance/
