Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society

What Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society does

The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) is a nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1995 by Ravi Corea and headquartered operationally in the Wasgamuwa region of Sri Lanka's Central Province, with a 501c3 tax-exempt entity registered in the United States. The organization's mission is the protection of Sri Lanka's endangered wildlife through scientific research integrated with community engagement. SLWCS operates a portfolio of more than a dozen interconnected programs spanning community-based human-elephant conflict mitigation (Project Orange Elephant, EleFriendly Bus Service, HEC Surveys), species-specific research (Carnivore Project using GPS satellite collars on leopards and sloth bears, Elephant Foraging Study, Peacock Survey, House Sparrow Survey, Bird Nesting Study), elephant welfare (New Life Elephant Sanctuary, EleVETS veterinary program, Anti-Poaching K9 Project), habitat protection (Mahaweli River Waterkeeper, Butterfly Conservation, Marine Program), and experiential volunteering (Wildlife Conservation Adventures program, operating since 2002).

The underlying technology stack is rooted in conventional field ecology rather than software or AI: GPS satellite collars for large carnivore tracking, camera traps, dung trail transects, electric fence systems, and community-based surveys. Notable technical differentiators include the first GPS satellite collar studies in Sri Lanka on leopards and sloth bears (producing first-of-kind home range data, e.g., 4 km² sloth bear range) and the world's first EleFriendly Bus Service launched in 2016 in an ancient elephant corridor, which reduced human-elephant conflict by over 90%. SLWCS partners with Sri Lanka's Department of Wildlife Conservation and Waterkeeper Alliance to integrate findings into national policy.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure with no single dominant stream. Sources include tax-deductible donations from international donors (channeled through the US 501c3), fees from volunteer programs (one-week to multi-month durations), corporate sponsorships (Spa Ceylon, Cha's Organics, Lowlander, EleBalance), project-specific sponsorships, and grants from foundations and international NGOs (The Forrester Foundation, NABU International, Sea of Change Foundation, Asian Elephant Support, International Elephant Project, Chamäleon Stiftung Foundation, Zoological Society of New Jersey). Customer segments include rural farming communities adjacent to Wasgamuwa National Park (primary beneficiaries), individual conservation volunteers and families, corporate ESG partners, and institutional foundation/NGO funders. Go-to-market is community-led with significant earned media validation (Fodor's Travel, National Geographic, Lonely Planet, UNDP, Whitley Fund for Nature).

Name

Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society

Legal name

Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society

Website

https://slwcs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) is a nonprofit founded in 1995 that protects Sri Lanka's endangered wildlife through community-based conservation research, serving rural communities in the Wasgamuwa region, international donors, volunteers, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Community-based conservation
• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
• Endangered species protection
• Volunteer conservation programs

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals supporting wildlife conservation, elephant protection, and community projects. Organization is a 501c3 tax exempt charity in the USA.
2. Volunteer Program Fees: Fees paid by volunteers participating in wildlife conservation programs since 2002. Revenue vital for supporting conservation research and community work. Programs range from one week to several months.
3. Project Sponsorship: Corporate and individual sponsors can sponsor specific projects like Project Orange Elephant, Sri Lankan Carnivore Project, and ongoing conservation work.
4. Fundraising Campaigns: Community members can create fundraisers for wildlife and nature causes - birthdays, marathons, community events - to support conservation initiatives.
5. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors like Lowlander, Cha's Organics, Spa Ceylon provide funding and support in exchange for association with conservation mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SLWCS delivers community-based wildlife conservation programs in Sri Lanka's Wasgamuwa region, combining scientific research with local community engagement to protect endangered species (elephants, leopards, sloth bears, butterflies) and mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Core offerings include volunteer wildlife expeditions, social enterprise programs (Project Orange Elephant), elephant welfare sanctuaries (New Life Elephant Sanctuary, EleVETS), GPS-based carnivore research, anti-poaching K9 operations, watershed protection, and marine conservation, supported by tax-deductible donations, volunteer fees, and corporate sponsorship.

Product overview

The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) operates as a nonprofit conservation organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include community-based wildlife research projects (Elephant Foraging Study, Peacock Survey, House Sparrow Survey, Bird Nesting Study, Human-Elephant Conflict Surveys), species-specific conservation initiatives (The Carnivore Project, Butterfly Conservation Project, Marine Program), elephant welfare programs (New Life Elephant Sanctuary, EleVETS), and conflict mitigation projects (Project Orange Elephant, Anti-Poaching K9 Project, EleFriendly Bus Service). Supporting infrastructure includes the Mahaweli River Waterkeeper for watershed protection, Wildlife Conservation Adventures volunteer programs, and online donation/fundraising platforms. All programs integrate scientific research with community engagement to protect Sri Lanka's endangered wildlife while supporting local livelihoods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Orange Elephant (POE): A community-based initiative that protects farms and homes from crop raiding elephants and supplements farmers' income throughout the year.
• EleVETS
• New Life Elephant Sanctuary (NLES)
• EleFriendly Bus Service
• Sri Lankan Carnivore Project

Products and services

• Wildlife Conservation Adventures (Volunteer Programs) Experiential wildlife conservation programs offering individuals and families the opportunity to work alongside scientists, conservationists, and local communities in Sri Lanka's Wasgamuwa Region. Programs range from one week to several months and cover National Park expeditions, tree hut experiences, camera trap setup, and community activities. Volunteer fees support conservation research and community work. Listed in Fodor's Travel Top 10 Wildlife Experiences and National Geographic's 100 Best Volunteer Vacations.
• Project Orange Elephant (POE) A social enterprise program that protects farms and homes from crop-raiding elephants while supplementing farmers' income throughout the year. Provides electric fences, community-based HEC mitigation organizations, home garden development, and agro-forestry support to local communities bordering Wasgamuwa National Park. Project Orange Elephant was recognized by the Global Development Network as the Most Innovative Development Project in 2015 and is being replicated in Tanzania through NABU International partnership.
• New Life Elephant Sanctuary (NLES) A pioneering elephant welfare initiative and Sri Lanka's first sanctuary for captive elephants, providing high-quality veterinary care and sanctuary to working elephants who have suffered abuse and exploitation in the tourism industry. Operates as a dedicated elephant welfare program within SLWCS's broader conservation portfolio.
• The Carnivore Project GPS satellite tracking research project monitoring Sri Lankan leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) and sloth bears (Melursus ursinus inornatus) to understand movement patterns, home ranges, habitat preferences, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies. Conducted in partnership with the Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka; the first GPS-based study of its kind in Sri Lanka.
• EleVETS A veterinary care and capacity-building initiative enhancing the health and welfare of Sri Lanka's captive elephants through professional veterinary care, training, mentorship, and education. Provides veterinary services and builds local capacity for elephant welfare.
• Anti-Poaching K9 Project Sri Lanka's first K9 anti-poaching unit using specially trained detection dogs to locate and remove illegal devices such as jaw bombs, trap guns, and snares that harm elephants and wildlife. Addresses Jaw Bomb injuries which were a leading cause of elephant deaths in 2017-2018.
• Mahaweli River Waterkeeper A Waterkeeper Alliance-designated initiative advocating for the long-term conservation and sustainable management of Sri Lanka's Mahaweli River watershed. Protects water sources for both humans and elephants and addresses the dry-season water competition that triggers violent human-elephant conflict.
• Butterfly Conservation Project Ecological research evaluating butterfly species richness, abundance, and habitat preferences across human-disturbed landscapes in the Wasgamuwa area. The project recorded 53 butterfly species including 8 endemic species and promotes pollinator conservation and community awareness. Sponsored by Spa Ceylon.
• Marine Program Community-led marine conservation initiative protecting Sri Lanka's vulnerable marine ecosystems, including 1,700 km of coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone eight times the country's land area. Promotes sustainable fisheries, habitat protection, and livelihoods for over 2.4 million people relying on fisheries.
• EleFriendly Bus Service The world's first bus service designed to safeguard people and elephants in an ancient elephant corridor. Launched in partnership with Asian Elephant Support, the service reduced human-elephant conflict by over 90% in the critical elephant corridor.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wasgamuwa region contributes less than 2% to national HEC statistics after 18 years of SLWCS work
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Spa CeyloncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning luxury spa and retail brand sponsoring SLWCS Butterfly Conservation Project, promoting biodiversity and protection of endemic butterfly species in the Wasgamuwa area.
• Cha's OrganicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada's leading brand of organic coconut milk and cream. Donates 1% of gross profits to SLWCS to help protect Sri Lanka's wild elephants. Products are Organic and Fair For Life Fair Trade certified with no monkey labour used.
• LowlanderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch botanical brewer creating unique beers from herbs, spices and fruit. Committed to nature-positive impact by 2030, supporting environmental protection.
• Stick No Bills PostersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish-Sri Lankan poster art business with world's largest collection of Ceylon/Sri Lanka vintage travel posters, operating galleries in Palma De Mallorca and Galle Fort.
• EleBalancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting SLWCS to expand and scale social enterprise programs providing sustainable livelihoods to rural farmers for wildlife conservation and climate change mitigation, creating healthy balance for peaceful human-elephant coexistence.
• NABU InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal arm of Germany's largest environmental association (960,000+ members). Supporting Project Orange Elephant to reduce human-elephant conflict, now replicating successful model in Tanzania.
• EtikoraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based ethical e-commerce marketplace offering sustainable products. Committed to reducing environmental harm and supporting animal welfare, supporting SLWCS for several years.
• Department of Wildlife Conservation (Sri Lanka)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for GPS Satellite Tracking of Sri Lankan Leopards and Sloth Bears project. Collaborating on research, data sharing, and integration of findings into national wildlife management policies.
• Waterkeeper AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of grassroots leaders protecting clean water rights. Designated SLWCS as official Mahaweli River Waterkeeper - first time in Sri Lanka a river has a designated Waterkeeper.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Kenya-based elephant rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary operator. Directly parallel to SLWCS's New Life Elephant Sanctuary (first sanctuary for captive elephants in Sri Lanka) in operating an elephant sanctuary with veterinary care and visitor-engagement revenue.
• Save the Elephants: A science-led Asian and African elephant conservation NGO combining GPS satellite tracking, anti-poaching, and community engagement. Closely comparable to SLWCS's Carnivore Project (first-in-Sri-Lanka GPS collars) and broader elephant-focused research portfolio.
• Born Free Foundation: UK-based wildlife charity focused on captive animal welfare, sanctuaries, and ethical tourism advocacy. Direct comparable to SLWCS's EleVETS veterinary care and New Life Elephant Sanctuary work addressing captive elephant welfare.
• Wildlife Trust of India: A South Asian national-scale wildlife conservation and community-based HEC mitigation NGO. Highly comparable to SLWCS in mission (wildlife, HEC, community programs), geography region, organizational scale, and reliance on international foundation funding.
• Elephant Family: UK charity dedicated exclusively to Asian elephant conservation across range states. Highly comparable in targeting Asian elephant conservation, funding Asian range-state partners, and operating in the same donor demographic SLWCS appeals to in Europe and the US.

Broad incumbents

• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): Global animal welfare and conservation organization with wildlife crime, marine, and community-livelihoods programs. Comparable as a large multi-issue animal conservation NGO that competes for the same unrestricted-donor and corporate-sustainability funding.
• World Wildlife Fund: Global wildlife conservation NGO with active Sri Lanka presence (WWF Sri Lanka). Comparable mission space and the dominant incumbent in wildlife fundraising; not a focused direct competitor given its portfolio breadth but the natural donor alternative for conservation-minded donors.
• Conservation International: Large global biodiversity and sustainable development NGO. Comparable in combining species protection with community livelihoods and corporate partnerships; competes for the same institutional foundation funding pool SLWCS accesses via its 501c3 and major grants.
• Fauna & Flora International: UK-headquartered global wildlife and habitat conservation NGO. Operates species-specific conservation programs internationally, comparable to SLWCS's portfolio (leopards, sloth bears, butterflies, marine), though at a broader geographic and budget scale.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Global wildlife NGO operating field conservation programs across many countries. Direct brand-name overlap with SLWCS and operates in species/ecosystem conservation at vastly larger scale—useful comparable for go-to-market, foundation funding dynamics, and zoo/aquarium network revenues.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/slwcs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society