The Smithsonian Field Research station, headed by Dr. Wolfgang Dittus of the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park (Washington, DC, USA) is one of the longest standing primate research facilities in the world. The study, done since 1968, has enabled us to categorize and chart genealogical and census reports of over 4,500 wild monkeys. Monkeys' individual fates have been linked to their behaviors, ecologies, enivorments and family histories.
With collaboration of the Peradeniya University Veterinary Faculty and Institute of Fundamental Studies in Hantana, Kandy Dr Dittus works with some of the leading scientist of the day on conservation efforts taken on behalf of these animals.
The Monkey-Human conflict is rearing it's head in many areas and the importance of not feeding them, with the slogan - "Please don't feed us. Help us get back to our habitat by you not destroying it" is being repeated at all events we do programs on these remarkable creatures.
Monkeys come only for leftover food and garbage tossed outside carelessly. Please get rid of garbage in a way the animals have no access to it.
Do not feed them. They are thin, of course. They do not need to look fat and are not poor helpless animals who cannot obtain food.
The time is here to reserve some areas as parks within towns giving birds, small mammals and nocturnal cats a home to thrive in so your children can observe them freely sometime soon.
Entrance to the main Dining and Sitting area is to walk through the small undisturbed patch of forest that our camp is so fortunate to have thanks to our fearless Chief of Staff who preaches to us about the importance of conservation.
Accommodation for reseach teams, consists of a newly constructed 3 bedroom house (with wooden loft for children or adults who fancy a camp style outing on Air mattresses) that could sleep 12 Adults, and a two bedroom cabana with 4 single beds.
There is the down stairs lodge for dining and relaxation after a days work with the monkeys.
The Work Time Table for 2week Volunteer Assistant Program Available from Summer 2009.
Day 1. Research Assistants will be given a lecture on Plants that the toque monkeys would consume which would assist greatly in catogarizing the plant item eaten per animal for diet summaries. Few key typical behavior patterns and vocal call identifications would be included in an introduction to Primates.
Day 2. Morning sessions would start after an early breakast at 6am and would comtinue till 10.30am depending on the season the work is carried out. During heavy rains in the monsoon period work would cease for the afternoon sessions due to the animals's inactivity duirng heavy thundershowers.
Lunch would be served at 12noon and Assistants would enjoy a seista till 2.30pm when all meet back at the main hall for summarising data and computer entries.
Afternoon work session commence at4pm and goes on till 6-6.30pm and dinner would be served at 7.30pm.
Day 3 - 6. DITTO
Day 7 Rest day
Day 8-14 Work as usual, with lectures on two days on primates' history and Project work for the Assistants for the final data presentaion where everyone would be able to showcase their newly gained knowledge on the Behavior and Diet of the Sri Lankan Touque macaque or the Macaqua sinica sinica.
Local additional activities
· Swimming and bathing in the lake
· Nature walks
· Meditation in quiet forested surroundings on shores of Parakrama Samudraya.
· Boat ride on lake (Folks' of the fishing village next door accomodate visitors on boat rides for a small amount to the Bird Island in the Parakrama Samudra)
· Visit to the Gal Vihara and other ancient religious shrines within the Polonnaruwa Archeoogical reserve (free for Sri Lankans nationals $20 for foreigners.)
· Archeological museum (Every entrance ticket purchased per foriegn nationals are allowed one visit to the Archeological Museum) Local pay Rs 20 Admission per person.***
· Elephant rides at Habarana (Rs.1,200 per person per hour, $25 pp for foreigners)
A unique opportunity to observe the soap opera lives of monkeys as depicted in the documentary film “Temple Troop” under special guidance of experienced monkey researchers .
0600hr to 0900hr or 1600hr to 1800hr
Entrance fee to CCF at Archaeological Reserve and monkey research site Sri Lankans Free or Rs.20 per vehicle
Foreigners $20 per day.
Learn about the rich bird life of the dry zone (about 150 species) and add a rare migrant to your life list.
Boat available for observing water birds
Just before the rains start in November, the skies turn turquoise and the lightning strokes the sky with silver streaks every few minutes.
we sat for an hour trying to catch a lightning strike with a small Nikon but failed. There is always hope next year.
***All Rates mentioned are subject to change
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