Volunteer Experience with Endangered Species at Exotic Spots in Colombia

  Colombia

Bogota

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: all year round

Description: Omacha Foundation offers 3 different placements for volunteering:
* Amazon Location (by the amazing Amazon river!)
* Caribbean Location (where you could help with manatees, dolphins and other endangeres species conservation)
* Orinoco Location (help on preseving wild animals such as otters, jaguars, river dolphins between others).

In general,
- you will be provided by training in techniques and methodologies in order to estimate river dolphin abundance and monitoring them, by using GPS, photo-identification, autopsies and biological material collection.
- Supporting researchers in field. Collecting information and biological material besides learning skills on studying different species and eventually animals first aids.
- Establishing use of habitats, abundance and behaviour of these species.
- Tracking and follow-up of mammals, interaction with species like manatees, dolphins, fishes, birds, turtles and insects.   
- Helping out in general at the stations.
- Supporting work with local indigenous communities.
- Routes through distribution areas of wild species like rivers, tubes, wetlands, marshes, swamps, sea and nearby zones of tourist interest.
- Complementary activities: Knowledge of the popular culture, music and folklore of the Region, crafts, superstition and beliefs.

Learn, explore and Have fun! More info, please contact us.

Highlights: Amazon Program
What do we do?
The Omacha Foundation centre in the Amazon region is located in the municipality of Puerto Narino and it has a laboratory where we classified and keep all the biological material for further research. In this centre we also provide educational and informative campaigns to the communities, so we can generate a sense of belonging and care of their environment and especially for the aquatic fauna.

Since 1987, the Foundation Omacha has been making a continuous monitoring of threatened species such as river dolphins Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis, manatees Trichechus inunguis, otters Lontra longicaudis, turtles Podocnemis expansa, P. unifilis, P. sextuberculata, Caymans Melanusuchus niger, Pirarucu Arapaima gigas among others, in search of their conservation.

What will I do?
- Help monitoring populations of dolphins Inia geoffrensis (River dolphin) and Sotalia fluviatilis.
- Establish use of habitats, abundance and behaviour of these species.
- You will be provided by training in techniques and methodologies to estimate river dolphin abundance by using of GPS, photo-identification, autopsies and collection of biological material.
- Help out in general at the station
- Support the data gathering of alligator Melanusuchus niger through night-time monitoring and interviews with fishermen.
- Interaction with other species such as manatees, turtles, fishes, birds and insects
- Supporting the work with local indigenous communities such as Ticunas, Cocamas and Yaguasal on issues related with of improving production of handicrafts, eco-tourism and fishing agreements.

* Caribbean Program

What do we do?
One of the main objectives of the Caribbean centre is create a conscience of conservation and managing of the aquatic ecosystems for the fishermen's communities, focused principally in the manatee Trichechus manatus manatus and the otter Lontra longicaudis. We determine the frequency of use of the areas where there was identified the presence of the manatee and the otter in the zone, in order to determine sensitive areas for the species.

We also have been doing studies on coastal dolphins Tursiops truncatus and Sotalia guianensis, to evaluate their distribution, use of habitat and their behavior in the Gulf. Also, in the region of the low Sinu, department of Cordoba, we developed the Managing and Conservation Plan for Manatee Trichechus manatus and Otter Lontra longicaudis, in order to achieve the managing and the conservation of these species in the zone.

What will I do?
- Support the researchers in field collecting information and biological material besides learning skills of study for the species and eventually first aids for fauna.
- Tracking and follow-up mammals, interaction with species like manatees, dolphins, fishes, birds among others. Use of GPS.
- Help in environmental educational activities like workshops, programs and campaigns directed for the children, young men (women) and adults.
- Design and execute programs of environmental education.
- Support the work with local communities (interviews, participative workshops for fishermen, ranchers, farmers and indigenous
- Help out in general at the station.
- Routes by distribution areas like rivers, tubes, marshes, swamps, sea and nearby zones of tourist interest, where many of those wild species live.
Complementary activities: Knowledge of the popular culture, music and folklore of the Caribbean Region, crafts, superstition and beliefs.

* Orinoco Program

What do we do?
The Foundation Omacha initiated since 1992 a series of projects in the rivers Arauca, Orinoco, Meta and Bita. Since 1996 we have been making research at the biological research station of Port Carreno (Bojonawi world Biosphere Reserve), department of the Vichada, limited by Venezuela.

In the Orinoquia, we are making studies on river dolphins Inia geoffrensis, however the enormous potential of the zone has allowed the research of other species as giant otters or water dogs Pteronura brasiliensis, caymans Cayman crocodilus, turtles Podocnemis expansa and manatees Trichechus manatus, to determine their) abundance, distribution, use of the habitat and behaviour. We also develop characterizations of fish's populations with commercial and handcrafted use.

What will I do?
- Helping in collecting information about the fauna of the region
- Supporting sustentable initiatives of local communities.
- Helping out in general at the biologycal station.
- Collaborating on wetlands conservation and giving a hand on strengthening of environmental projects.

Qualifications: We don't discriminate based on age, religion or any other characteristic. We simply hope to have enthusiastic volunteers who would like to have some experience in research, who would like to learn about manatees, dolphins, otters and other endangered species and their environment, who want to improve Spanish, experience a new culture and be ready to take on any tasks that may be required.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: 1500 USD/month

What is included in the fee?

- Assistance before, during and after your trip: information about the program, destination, vaccinations, visas and references.
- Supervising during your staying at the placement
- Professional and research experience on field
- 24 hour-a-day assistance, 7 days a week in Colombia, to make sure you receive the best quality and service.
- Food and staying at the project
- Materials, equipment and transportation for research operations
- Transfers from and to the airport on your arrival and departure dates
- Welcome dinner
- Internet service (depending on location)
- Internal Flights
- Participation certificate

Experience Required: no

Age Range: from 18 to 60

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

Participants Travel to Colombia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Fundacion Omacha's Mission Statement: Omacha Foundation is a Colombian NGO, non-profit organization, committed to sustainable development and conservation. It works in research and conservation of natural resources in Colombia, with emphasis on aquatic ecosystems. Through these programs Omacha Foundation provides opportunities on developing research field skills and experience in wildlife management at unique tropical scenarios. It also gives possibilities to participate in the implementation of National Management Conservation Programs for Endangered Species, as well as supporting research and monitoring work of animal populations.

Year Founded: 1988