DIARIO NATURA ANIMAL

We are seeking Research Assistants for two time periods:  

Purpose of Project To improve the knowledge of the biology and ecology of the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Pacific Green (Chelonia mydas agassizii) sea turtles on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and implement guidelines for better conservation actions, and through working with international volunteers to build an appreciation for the species and the environment in which it lives. 

Project Description Ostional beach is located within the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) in the province of Guanacaste on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is an important nesting beach for three of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, and has been active in sea turtle conservation for the past 40 years.  

The three species that use the beach are:

The project was founded in 2005, and this will be the ninth season that the ISV project has been running in Ostional. 

Our research is focused on the Leatherback and Pacific Green turtle populations, which historically have received less attention than the Olive Ridley turtles that nest at this beach. Until 2004 no comprehensive research on Leatherback and Pacific Green turtle activity at Ostional had ever been carried out and, despite high rates of poaching being reported, no specific measures had been implemented to protect these species. 

The Leatherback sea turtle is in critical danger of extinction, having experienced a loss of 80% of the total world population in the last 10 years. Populations on the main nesting beaches of the Pacific have declined in some cases by 90%. It is estimated that by the year 2020 the Pacific populations of Leatherback may disappear completely if no actions are taken. The Pacific Green sea turtle (also known as the black turtle) is currently classified as endangered. 

Years of nest stealing and an excessive mortality rate of adults and juveniles caused by fisheries and pollution can be considered the main causes for these turtles decline. 

There is clearly an urgent need of conservation to safe guard these populations, however without data that provides knowledge of their biology and nesting habits it is difficult to frame appropriate management strategies. It is hoped that long term monitoring will yield data on adult females and their nests to enable the formulation of management alternatives that can be put into practice at this beach. 

Project Duration 

November 1st – March 31st each year 

The Work:

Other work involves beach cleanup (to remove debris that would impede the movement of nesting females or hatchlings) and varying projects including the initial construction of a beach hatchery. 

Cost/ Benefits: 
Research Assistants will stay in the station of MINAET (Ministry of Environment and Energy and Technology) for the duration of the project. 

Research Assistant (RA) positions are voluntary, and chosen RAs are expected to cover their own travel expenses, as well as, to cover their own room and board during their stay ($15 per day for accommodation and three meals at the MINAET station)

Previous sea turtle experience is a great advantage, however full training will be provided upon arrival to the project site.

We appreciate people who use their initiative, are problem solvers, look to be useful in their spare time, and are interested in getting to know the community, understanding what community life is like, and what the community is trying to achieve without compromising their values.

Research Assistants must have a reasonable level of fitness as the work can be moderately strenuous to heavy, depending on the task. The project requires details of any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions to be declared at the time of application.  

Application Process:  

Interested applicants please send a cover letter, their current CV with contact details of three references (in pdf or word format) stating their preferred time period to: 

Marta Pesquero (savetheseaturtles@gmail.com)

Subject title: RA Application Ostional 2012-13

Marine turtle volunteers are needed to assist the turtle monitoring project at Cano Palma Biological Station in Costa Rica. Volunteers will assist in marine turtle monitoring which includes gathering biometric data on nesting turtles, determining hatching success, and maintaining a presence on the beach to reduce poaching rates. Night patrols take place every night from 4-8 hours and covering up to 16 km of beach. Morning patrols cover the length of the beach (approximately 11 km) Time Period Volunteers are needed NOW until the end of July and after August 15th. There is a minimum of a two week stay for marine turtle volunteers. Longer stays are preferable and will result in additional training and responsibilities. The turtle season started in March and ends the end of October. Background Information The Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC) was established in 1991 to serve as a registered nonprofit organization in Canada, and to support and administer the operations of Caño Palma Biological Station. The mission of COTERC is to provide leadership in education, research, conservation, and the educated use of natural resources in the tropics. Among our goals, is to extend our efforts in neo tropical conservation to extend beyond the station’s 35 hectare property. COTERC offers volunteers the unique opportunity to live and work in the Caño Palma Biological Station set within the northeast Caribbean lowland rainforest of Costa Rica. The station is located in one of the most biodiverse regions of Latin America and sits within a network of protected areas. It is surrounded by a vast and ancient floodplain covered by a mosaic of swamp forests, palm forests, lagoons, mixed hardwoods, picturesque canals and coastal ecosystems. The globally endangered green, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles come ashore to nest on beaches accessible from the station. Caño Palma Biological Station is situated approximately 8 kilometres (5 miles) north of the village of Tortuguero on Costa Rica’s north-eastern coast. The Tortuguero area is an ancient flood plain covered by lowland Atlantic tropical wet forest and is biologically the richest ecosystem in Costa Rica. Average daily temperature is about 26 degrees Celsius and rainfall may exceed 6,000 mm per annum. Much of this area has protected status under Costa Rica’s parks and reserves system, with Tortuguero National Park (18,946 hectares) and the Barra Colorado Refuge (92,000 hectares), forming a vast corridor which connects with conserved forest in Nicaragua to the north Benefits/Costs Volunteers contribute $200.00 U.S. per week, with negotiable rates for groups and long-term stays. This fee includes food, accommodation and a one year membership to COTERC with electronic newsletters. Volunteers will receive training and gain valuable field work experience.

Volunteers do not need to be biologists but should be enthusiastic about conservation. They should be physically fit and must be able to carry a light pack and walk at a fast-pace for up to 16 km on the sand during night or morning beach surveys. Volunteers will live in a shared space (up to 6 per dorm room) and should be comfortable in a communal living situation with shared responsibilities. Minimum age is 18 and volunteers should be mature and independent.

Información completa: http://awsassets.wwfar.panda.org/downloads/coordinador_proyecto_aalo.pdf  

Hiring Organization:
Colobus Trust, Diani Beach, Kenya

Position Description:
KEY RESPONSIBILITY:
Ensuring that the veterinary and animal welfare aspects of the Trust are carried out in accordance with the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB), PASA and the Trust’s policies and procedures in order to achieve the highest quality animal care possible.

KEY TASKS:
• Manage and administer the treatment and daily care of all sick and injured animals in the care of the Trust, including primates in the long term rehabilitation programme under the guidance of the consultant Vet;
• Carry out the storage of drugs in the veterinary clinic to the standards of the KVB, and the Trust’s policies and procedures;
• Carry out the cleaning of the veterinary clinic, quarantine area and rehabilitation enclosures to the standards of the KVB, PASA and the Trust’s policies and procedures;
• Implement comprehensive record keeping systems, computer and paper copies;
• Respond to animal welfare calls in a timely basis;
• Lead the Trust’s team on animal welfare call-outs;
• Follow the Field Procedures manual in the assessment, capture and release of all animals;
• Follow the Animal Welfare manual for the treatment of all animals;
• Feed and clean animals in care daily as per the Trust’s policies and procedures in collaboration with the Animal Care Officer and with the assistance of volunteers;
• Follow special procedures for neonates, pregnant and lactating animals;
• Carry out monthly stock take of drugs and materials and reordering as necessary;
• Liaise with Diani hospitals on any infectious diseases that may affect the primates of Diani or infectious diseases in the primate population that may be a risk to people;
• Ensure procedural documents on hand for cases of emergency outbreaks inside the facility or outside (in Diani) with regular review and updating of key contacts;
• Carry out training as necessary to staff and volunteers;
• Write proposals for development of the veterinary facilities;
• Follow the health and safety guidelines for animal handling;
• Write daily blogs of the Trust’s achievements for all associated on-line sites;
• Participate in eco-tours when necessary;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time.

Qualifications/Experience:
All applicants must be fully qualified Vets, holding a recognised qualification

Salary/funding:
No salary, wages or stipend - this is a voluntary position

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Accomodation and food for three meals a day provided

Term of Appointment:
6 months

Application Deadline:
Rolling and until each period filled

Contact Information:
Andrea Donaldson
Kenya

Website:
http://www.colobustrust.org

E-mail Address:
conservation@colobustrust.org

Hiring Organization:
Alouatta Sanctuary & Eco-Lodge

Position Description:
Alouatta Sanctuary near David, Panama provides a limited number of internship opportunities for those seeking first-hand experience in the fields of primate rehabilitation, tropical forest conservation, and environmental education. Alouatta Sanctuary is the only wildlife rehabilitation site in Panama currently specializing in the rehabilitation of primates, with an emphasis on mantled howler monkeys. As such, it serves an important role in conserving animals critical to tropical forest ecosystems, and educating the public about primate biology and rainforest conservation. Successful applicants will participate in primate rehabilitation efforts, contribute to educational programs, assist with ongoing research projects, and support the day-to-day functioning of the facility. Training is available in the fields of wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, primate behavior and ecology, tropical forest biology, field sampling procedures, and data processing techniques (including GIS). Depending on individual contributions, interns may also have the opportunity to co-author peer-reviewed publications.

Current openings are available for interns interested in the following projects:

Wildlife Rehabilitation: Alouatta Sanctuary specializes in the rehabilitation of mantled howler monkeys. However, we also accept other mammals and birds in need of aid. Interns assist in the daily care of rehabilitated animals and monitor newly released individuals, documenting feeding preferences and interactions with free-ranging howler monkey groups.

Primate Cognitive Studies: Mantled howler monkeys do not thrive in captivity. There are extremely few in zoological institutions in the Americas, Europe, or Australia, and as a result, few opportunities to study howler monkey cognitive abilities. At Alouatta Sanctuary, interns help to conduct a series of cognitive experiments in the form of foraging challenges that address howler monkey knowledge of the physical world. These experiments provide important enrichment opportunities for the primates we rehabilitate and yield new information for the scientific community as to primate cognitive abilities.

Tropical Forest Conservation : Alouatta Sanctuary has been strategically reforested to form part of a corridor between two intact primary forests. As a result, the property functions as critical wildlife habitat for a variety of species (mantled howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, night monkeys, ocelots, peccaries, coatis, and many others). Interns are needed to conduct wildlife censuses using line transects and remote camera traps, as well as to conduct behavioral observations of primate habitat-use. Opportunities may also be available to assist in further reforestation efforts.

Environmental Education: Education forms a critical component of our conservation efforts. Interns give lectures on mantled howler monkey behavior and conservation, lead short nature walks, and contribute to the development of educational materials. The opportunity to assist our environmental education specialist in presentations at local primary and secondary schools may also be available.

Interns are accepted on a rolling basis and must make at least a 1-month commitment (40 hours/week), with longer stays preferred. There is current availability for start dates in mid-July.

Qualifications/Experience:
All applicants must be at least 18 years old, be physically fit, have excellent communication skills and the ability to work with people of all ages and from different cultures. Applicants must be able to provide proof of a negative TB test (Mantoux or x-ray) and Hepatitis (A & B) vaccinations, and must purchase current international health insurance while in Panama. Experience traveling to the tropics or living in remote conditions is a plus, as is coursework or work experience in primate ecology or environmental education.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please send a short letter of interest, CV, and names/contact information for 3 references to alouatta.sanctuary.internships@gmail.com. Be specific as to which projects you are interested in, the dates you prefer, and your experience (if any) with wildlife, environmental science, or education.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Interns will be provided with housing at Alouatta Sanctuary, but are unpaid and will be responsible for providing their own airfare to David as well as $700/mo in fees to cover training and food. Accommodations are very comfortable (hot water, electricity, internet). We are located roughly ½ hour from David, Panama, a modern city with all the amenities (an international airport, hospitals, supermarkets, hardware stores, movie theatres, etc). The sanctuary’s location also provides an excellent base to explore the best nature Panama has to offer (cloud forests, beaches, marine parks) during time off.

Term of Appointment:
Varies (1 month minimum)

Application Deadline:
ongoing

Contact Information:
Alouatta Sanctuary, Chiriqui
Panama

E-mail Address:
alouatta.sanctuary.internships@gmail.com