Croatia - Bottlenose Dolphin Conservation

I joined Vivamar as a volunteer to gain skills in dolphin monitoring and to collect data for my undergraduate thesis project. From the very beginning even during my first email conservation Darja the project leader was very helpful and enthusiastic. Whilst volunteering I learnt essential skills for bottlenose dolphin distribution and abundance monitoring. The town of the research house was very safe and welcoming. The Istria region as a whole is very beautiful with lots of different activity options which volunteers have the chance to explore during off days. The project hosts a diverse group of individuals from all over the world which is really good as you get to learn about different approaches to conservation. Because Vivamar host a diverse group of people it creates a good atmosphere and gives you a chance to meet people who have similar interest but are from the opposite side of the world. After leaving the project I continued to collaborate with Darja while I was writing my thesis as she had allowed me to use data which she collected on dolphins so that I could do a much bigger analysis. Darja was always available and offered to help and provided great input while I was writing my thesis. Darja really has the best interest of volunteers and dolphin conservation as she continues to keep in touch with me to find out how I am progressing with my studies and career opportunities. I would definitely recommend this programme for those who have a real interest in dolphin conservation and want to participate in a programme where they will get to learn skills which can be applied to future cetacean conservation and monitoring.

Personally, this project gave a strong impact on me. It was a great feeling to know that you are contributing to something good in the world. It was also a fun experience with a lot of laughter! I felt very safe during the project and in the village. I could always trust our host Darja and knew that I was in good hands.The most memorable experience was the hands-on experience on the dolphin observations. It was an amazing and cool experience. I loved how the volunteers got such an efficient access to the wild animals and life around the village thanks to Darja.

This was my first experience volunteering abroad. On the first day of the program I was excited and thrilled to be learning about dolphins and Croatian culture. As the week progressed I was disappointed in some of the aspects of my trip. For instance, the weather was cold and rainy for most of the week and I felt like I missed out on a lot due to that. For anyone considering this program, I would suggest going later in the summer for swimming, visiting the nearby towns, etc. The living accommodations were basic, but it was easy to see past that. The food however, was not up to par. By accommodating to one person (who didn't eat vegetables), the rest of us missed out on the proper nutrition most of us were used to. Overall, the program was fun, I loved seeing the dolphins, and I do recommend volunteering for this program.

Being a part of this volunteering program was a wonderful experience for me. Dolphins are fascinating animals who are both intelligent and beautiful. I had a great time getting to know new people, observing the dolphins and at the same time being able to help them and make a difference. I will keep these memories close to my heart. I definitely recommend this project to anyone who wants to contribute to a better life for the Bottlenose Dolphins and other animals in the mediterranean!

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