Description

The volunteers will conduct the following activities:

1. Sighting and capturing, with nets, juveniles of green turtle, in areas next to the shore.
2. Walks (10-20 km.), searching for stranded sea turtles.
3. Help researchers with necropsies of any dead individual.
4. Collect data of the artisanal fishery carried out in this locality.
5. Get involved in talks and workshops for the community and tourists.
6. Rehabilitation of sick and weak sea turtles.
7. Help in the field station duties such us cleaning and cooking.

Highlights

Background Information:

Karumbe has been monitoring this foraging and developmental area of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) for more than 10 years. In this site the volunteers will carry out research and conservation activities, getting quite in touch with the fishermen community where the field station is settled. Volunteers will be working shoulder to shoulder with the 2 researchers who will be coordinating the fieldwork, getting involved in all tasks included in the project work.

It is not necessary to speak Spanish; however we encourage candidates to know at least the basics.

Site Information:

Cerro Verde is a landscape of protected area (Banados del Este and Coastal Fringe - Biosphere Reserves). In this particular case the green turtle can be considered effective 'umbrellas' for broader biodiversity. Cerro Verde comprises high diversity of fauna and plant communities including relict vegetation, marine mammals (as Fransiscana dolphins, bottle-nose dolphins, sea lions) and seabirds. This area has just been included in the recently created National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) as the first Coastal-Marine Protected Area. Thus it is a priority to increase the research in order to succeed in preserving the biodiversity and allow developing a management plan according to the reality and needs of this marine ecosystems.

Qualifications

Requirements Candidates should have:

1.Willingness to work with nature in a remote places, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
2. Good physical conditions: know how to swim and be able to walk long distances on loose sand.
3. Willingness to get to know a different culture, getting involved into conservation activities with this fishing community.
4. It is not necessary for previous experience in handling sea turtles, training will be given as soon as you arrive in the field station.

Languages

• English
• Spanish
• French
• Italian
• Portuguese

Cost in US$:

approx USD 18

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing

Program Fees Include:

The cost includes accommodation and 3 meals a day. Volunteers must pay their own travel expenses to Montevideo-Uruguay and the trip to the field station.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Students, biologists, veterinaries, homebodies, others professionals, all people who love the sea.

Age Range

18 to 99

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

15 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Karumbe NGO's Mission Statement

Marine Wildlife Conservation. Sea turtles and Marine Protected Areas.

Year Founded

1999