Giving injured and displaced wildlife a second chance at life
Protecting wildlife in the Yan Oya river basin and beyond
The YanOya Animal Rescue programme is a frontline conservation initiative by the Species Conservation Centre, focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and displaced wildlife across Sri Lanka's Yan Oya river basin and surrounding regions.
Our trained rescue teams are on call around the clock, responding to reports of injured, trapped, or displaced animals across the region. From road accident victims to animals caught in human-wildlife conflict zones, we act fast to save lives.
Rescued animals receive expert veterinary care and rehabilitation at our facilities. Each animal follows a tailored recovery plan designed to restore its health and natural behaviours before release back into the wild.
Once fully recovered, animals are returned to suitable habitats. Post-release monitoring ensures successful reintegration into wild populations and helps us improve our rescue and rehabilitation protocols.
The Yan Oya river basin is a critical ecological corridor in Sri Lanka's North Central and Northern provinces. It supports diverse wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, water birds, and numerous reptile and amphibian species. However, increasing development, agricultural expansion, and road networks have created significant threats to wildlife in this area. Our rescue programme addresses these urgent conservation needs on the ground.
Effective rescue work depends on community involvement. We train local volunteers as first responders, educate communities on coexisting with wildlife, and maintain a reporting hotline for wildlife emergencies. This network of concerned citizens is the backbone of our rapid-response capability and ensures that no injured animal goes unnoticed.
Animals Rescued
Successfully Released
Emergency Response
Trained Volunteers