Carnivores of Brazil's Grasslands

  Brazil

• Southern Brazil: 
Campo Grande

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: see website for details

Description: Research Mission
Explore the unique community ecology of large carnivores in Brazil's cerrado ecosystem.

Situation Report
Emas National Park, Brazil -- The vast and beautiful grasslands of this national park are home to an astounding diversity of large carnivores, including rare pumas, jaguars, incomparable maned wolves, and crab-eating foxes. A World Heritage Site and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Emas serves as an important reservoir for these threatened populations, as well as 14 smaller carnivore species. For the last 12 years, Drs. Leandro Silveira and Anah Jácomo have been studying the carnivore community of Emas to understand their ecology and conservation status in and around the park. You can help them continue their research here, capturing and radio-tracking them to discover their movements and habitat needs, the basis for conservation strategies in the cerrado region.

Meals and Accommodations
Your team will share a comfortable house with four bedrooms and full bath, bordering on Emas National Park. The house has hot showers, flush toilets, electricity, a full kitchen, and other amenities, such as laundry and bar service. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided at the house by a local cook. Meals will feature Brazilian favorites, including rice, beans, beef, chicken, salads, and vegetables, and snacks and fruits will also be available.

Highlights: On the Expedition
You will use 4x4 trucks to explore this world-class park, home of 55 species of mammals, 60 species of reptiles, and more than 370 species of birds. Your team will work with Jaguar Conservation Fund's team to radio-track mammals and discover their habits and needs. You will conduct a mammal census, collect and analyze scat, and perform behavioral observations. You will also assist with camera-trapping, data input, and data processing. On occasion, you will have the opportunity to help capture and radio-collar carnivores, including pumas, maned wolves, crab-eating foxes, ocelots, and jaguars. In your spare time, you can enjoy swimming and birdwatching in the unique cerrado environment.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,946

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18 - 90

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

Participants Travel to Brazil Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4 - 12

Scholarships are Available. Fellowships may be available, mainly for high-school students and educators. Visit our website for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. The Earthwatch community also includes 20,000 global members, 4,000 eager volunteers each year, 50 collaborating conservation organizations, and 50 corporate partners, all of whom work together to make a difference. Below you will find out more about our leadership, employment opportunities, and contact information.

Year Founded: 1971