The Conservation, Awareness, Research, and Education (CARE) Project is a landmark partnership between TERN and the Memphis Zoo, USA, dedicated to protecting Sri Lanka’s dry zone biodiversity.

CARE is being developed in two phases: CARE Base Camp, opened in 2024, serves as a hub for research, student training, and community engagement, while the upcoming CARE Field Station will provide a forest-edge research lab for biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration, and conservation technology applications.

Built with eco-friendly design and rooted in community participation, CARE is a model of how science, education, and local stewardship can come together to safeguard wildlife and create sustainable futures. The Conservation, Awareness, Research, and Education (CARE) Project is a landmark collaboration between the Tropical Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) and the Memphis Zoo, USA. CARE was born out of a shared vision: to protect Sri Lanka’s unique biodiversity, restore threatened habitats, and connect science with community action. CARE base camp and the CARE Field station are open for students, researchers, conservation practitioners, community members, and local and international organizations for environment-related collaborations.

How CARE Began

The idea for CARE was nurtured by Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage and Ravindra Amarasinghe, co-founders of TERN, together with Dr Sinlan (Sheila) Poo, Curator of Research at the Memphis Zoo. Their long-term collaboration in Sri Lankan conservation shaped the foundation for this partnership.
In 2023, Prof. Enoka visited the Memphis Zoo to work with Dr Felicia Knightly and the Animal Health Centre team on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. This exchange strengthened ties between the two organizations and convinced the Memphis Zoo to step beyond its zoo walls and invest in in-situ conservation in Sri Lanka. With support from the Zoo’s Conservation 6 (C6) initiative, its flagship conservation program, and strong Sri Lankan partnerships, the dream of CARE began to take shape. Construction started in late 2023, with the blessing of local elders and the support of partners such as Dilmah Conservation.

The Two Phases of CARE

Phase 1: CARE Base Camp

Officially opened on 10 November 2024, the CARE Base Camp serves as the hub for operations and outreach.
•    University Engagement: Students from multiple universities use the center for practical classes, research projects, and final-year dissertations on topics including camera trapping of leopards, human–elephant conflict, and wildlife crime.
•    Community and Farmer Training: CARE hosts training in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and biochar production, supporting coexistence between people and wildlife.
•    School Environmental Programs: environmental education programs are being conducted to inspire schoolchildren and cultivate conservation awareness in local communities. With the support of Dilmah Conservation, there will be advanced programs in the future.
•    Knowledge Exchange: The Base Camp has become a meeting ground for researchers, farmers, students, and conservation practitioners, building partnerships for long-term impact.

Phase 2: CARE Field Station

Currently under development, the CARE Field Station will expand the project’s reach directly into the forest edge. Located in Hambegamuwa, a dry zone biodiversity hotspot, CARE field station safeguards a critical area where elephants, leopards, spotted deer, and many other species roam, adjacent to Lunugamwehera National Park, Udawalawe National Park, and the Wetahirakanda Wildlife Corridor. The center is located just outside a restoration forest, Suduweliara, once under threat of clearance for agriculture and vulnerable to wildlife crime, is now being transformed into a thriving hub for conservation and learning.
Activities planned and ongoing
•    Research and Monitoring: The station provides direct access to critical habitats. Early biodiversity surveys revealed rich assemblages of threatened and endemic species. Once completed, the station will be equipped with a field laboratory.
•    Conservation Technology: In partnership with EarthRanger and Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS), CARE has deployed camera traps that deliver real-time monitoring of wildlife. Local caretakers have been trained in their use, fostering community ownership and inspiring the next generation.
•    Habitat Restoration: Work has begun on invasive species removal, waterhole management, and a community-run plant nursery to support reforestation and ecosystem recovery.
•    Community Integration: The Field Station will complement Base Camp by acting as a research hub while ensuring that conservation benefits extend to surrounding villages.
The Field Station is envisioned as a game-changer for Sri Lanka — combining scientific research, habitat restoration, and community engagement in one place.

Partnerships and Support

CARE would not be possible without collaboration. Alongside Memphis Zoo and TERN, key partners include Dilmah Conservation, Sri Lankan universities, and local community groups. Government support through the Department of Forest Conservation and the Department of Wildlife Conservation provides the legal and institutional framework for its activities. Future plans include solar-powered facilities, expanded research programs, and international collaborations, ensuring CARE remains sustainable and impactful.

Looking Ahead

The CARE Project is more than a conservation facility — it is a living example of how science, education, and community action can converge to protect biodiversity. Through CARE, TERN, and Memphis Zoo are setting benchmarks for:
•    Community-based conservation and livelihood development.
•    Cutting-edge conservation technology.
•    Training the next generation of researchers.
•    Strengthening global partnerships for biodiversity protection.
Visitors and supporters are invited to join this journey by contributing to CARE’s growth, engaging in research and training, and spreading awareness of Sri Lanka’s extraordinary biodiversity.