Description

Research Mission
Help conserve and protect Amazon dolphins, giant river otters, monkeys, turtles, fish, giant river otters, and macaws and other birds.

Situation Report
Lago Preto, Yavari River and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Samaria River, Loreto, Peru --The vast, relatively untouched Amazonian forests of northeastern Peru harbor an incredible diversity of wildlife. River dolphins and caimans still swim the rivers, while extraordinary birds fly through the canopy. Uakari monkeys abound in Lago Preto and manatees swim in the lakes of Samiria. Rare giant river otters occasionally can be seen cavorting along lakes and rivers. In this remote and isolated region of the Amazon, scientists Dr. Richard Bodmer, Pablo Puertas, and Tula Fang are doing a comprehensive survey of the area's biodiversity to develop sustainable conservation strategies for the region and the people who inhabit it. Illegal timber companies, pet traders, and hunters have decimated wildlife in other areas of the Amazon, lending urgency to the conservation of this near-pristine area.

Meals and Accommodations
The Ayapua is a recently restored 33-meter three-deck boat, with eight double cabins, one single cabin, and one triple cabin. Each cabin is air-conditioned and has an en suite bathroom with shower. After mornings and afternoons in the field, you will be treated to an array of local delicacies as well as familiar offerings like roast beef and freshly-caught fish, in the air-conditioned dining room. Mid-morning coffee and afternoon tea (and cakes), are served daily, and beverages are available at the bar on the upper deck

Highlights

On the Expedition
From the Ayapua, a vintage boat from the Amazon's rubber boom period, you will work with a team of skilled Peruvian biologists to collect information about the wildlife populations in one of two river areas, Lago Preto or the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, depending on the season. Volunteers rotate between aquatic surveys for dolphins, manatees, giant river otters, fish, and river turtles from motorized canoes. You will also count macaws and conduct land surveys of peccaries, tapirs, deer, monkeys, and game birds. At night, you will do spotlight surveys for caimans. With expedition staff, you will meet and talk to local people about their fishing, hunting, and conservation efforts, and practice some Spanish. In your time off, you can peruse the well-stocked library, enjoy a selection of Amazon-themed films on movie nights, or simply relax with a glass of wine on deck in one of the Earth's greatest wild places.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Nature Tours
• Tours
• Volunteering

Qualifications

No experience is necessary - all you will need is enthusiasm and the desire to make a difference. For over 40 years Earthwatch Institute has pioneered the involvement of ordinary people in peer-reviewed scientific research worldwide. By joining an Earthwatch Expedition, you have a unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of the worlds rarest animals and visit remote and beautiful locations, while directly supporting conservation science. We offer life enhancing experiences in nearly 50 countries each year, with projects for teens, adults, and families.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2,695 - 3,895

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Our volunteers not only contribute essential funds that help to cover the cost of the research, but also, through their inspiration and effort, they provide the people power without which many of our vital projects simply couldnt take place. We are a non-profit organization but accommodation, meals, insurance, training and transport in the field are also included in your contribution cost. As a non-profit organization that supports scientific research, your contribution and airfare costs are usually tax-deductible for U.S. citizens.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people, including students, retirees, families, educators, and anyone seeking an exciting journey that enables them to give back to the environment. Our expeditions have a wide range of activity levels, from hiking intensive to easy expeditions with limited physical activity. There is an Earthwatch expedition out there for everyone!

Age Range

Adult (age 18-90) teams available.

This Program is open to

Worldwide, American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Scholarships are Available

Very limited fellowships may be available, mainly for high-school students and educators. Visit our website for more information.

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Typically The Application Process Time is

Brief

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement

Our mission is to inspire connections between people and the environment by engaging them in worldwide scientific field research and education. These efforts will promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. We believe it is essential that people participate in solving the environmental challenges we face.

Year Founded

1971