Animal Sciences Internships in Galapagos Islands

This internship from the Institute for Global Studies is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn and experience how environmental businesses operate while living in one of the world's most exotic locations. Aquaculture farming has its roots in ancient practices in places like Hawaii, where people had fish-holding pools for personal use. In today's world, aquaculture has taken on new importance as the world's fish stocks are devastated by industrial fishing practices. This means that farmed fish species are increasing to meet demands. Interns participate in all aspects of prawn farming with an established business. They discover how fishermen-turned-farmers nurture their crops to maturity. They also work with local aquarium scientists, discovering how these ventures relieve the pressure on the local marine environment, and help to conserve marine life and coastlines with correct management techniques.

The Galapagos Giant Tortoise is an iconic animal, and native to the region. It often grows to over 6 feet long and can weigh up to 800 pounds, and therefore stands as one of the biggest tortoises and reptiles on the planet. This project has been instrumental in the conservation of these ancient animals that were very close to extinction. At one time, a quarter million of these giants roamed the islands. However, this number diminished to around 3,000. Several factors were responsible for the decline, beginning with sailors and settlers hunting them for food. Volunteers participating during the months of December to May must choose to work at either the tortoise breeding center (as described above) or with sea turtles. Sea turtle nest monitoring tasks include walking the beach while looking for nests, turtles, and hatchlings. Actual sightings may be rare.

Travel to the island that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, and do more than explore. Help support sea turtle conservation! As a sea turtle nest monitor, you'll walk the 2-km stretch of coastline on beautiful Isabela Island, collecting data for the Galapagos National Park to support the management plan of the local beach. Join a team collecting data on the nesting patterns of the Green Sea Turtle, the species nesting in Isabela. Some of your responsibilities will include the following: - Observing and taking data on nest sizes - Determining nesting patterns of the Green Sea Turtle, the turtle species nesting on Isabela beaches, and marking laid nests. - Removing rubbish and debris to keep the beach clear. - Dedicating 3 hours weekly to removing "kikuyu" (grass) from the turtle nesting area, an invasive plant growing along the beach, thus blocking turtle nesting. - Measuring erosion to compare changes in the beach profile over time. The work schedule is from 6 am to 8 am and between 8 pm and 1 am (the night walk will vary depending on high tide when you are in Isabela).