Dolphin Research Courses

  Italy

• All Other Areas in Italy: 
Olbia

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter 
Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Courses starts from February to November

Description: A great opportunity is open for marine mammal enthusiasts to participate in hands-on research with free-ranging wild bottlenose dolphins along the Emerald Coast, in North Sardinia Island, Italy. Our research courses are designed for students, biologist, and more interested people who are seeking thorough training in approaches to the study of free ranging wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). These intensive educational courses, six or thirteen days long, provide experience in specialized research techniques as photo-identification, bioacoustics and behavioural sampling. Students are involved in all aspects of the research, and will help measure different aspects of the dolphins' behaviour by using a variety of instruments, to identify individuals, record behaviours and sounds.

A course consists of field sessions and lectures. Our research courses can be used for academic or vocational purposes, but students are solely responsible for making all arrangements for receiving relevant credit(s) as a result of completing the period with us. A training course requires 6 or 13 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during 4, 8 days respectively.

BDRI's courses give an insight into the workings of a research team, and provide valuable experience in a wide range of areas including scientific data collection, analysis and presentation; giving public talks and much more. All classes will be in a form of both (a) lectures that will lead to more "informal" discussion, hopefully ending with a constructive brainstorming on the specific topic, as well as (b) instructions with hand-on practical component, especially when it involves field techniques.

Highlights:
- Travel and explore new places
- Get involved in dolphin research
- Gain fieldwork experience
- Learn to analyse and obtain conclusions with the data collected during the fieldwork
- Learn to use different research instruments: GPS, Hydrophone, Secchi disk, digital camera, sonar, camcorder, anemometer, etc
- Help advance our knowledge of bottlenose dolphins to improve their conservation
- Meet interesting people
- Enjoy the outdoors of the beautiful Emerald Coast and Sardinia Island
- Enjoy the Italian food, culinary talents of others and express your own.

Course 1. Bottlenose dolphins - Field methods in the wild:

- Marine mammals biology
- Dolphins ecology: habitat use and bottlenose dolphin presence
- Behavioural sampling methods
- Interaction between dolphins and human activities
- Photo-identification techniques
- Diving behaviour
- Bioacoustics
- Ecological & behavioural transcription
- Cleaning of equipment and primary data analyses
- Computer orientation.

Course 2. Study of bottlenose dolphin behaviour:

- Bottlenose dolphins biology
- Behavioural sampling methods
- Behavioural patterns & events
- Analysis of underwater videos
- Focal individual and focal group behaviour
- Interaction between dolphins and human activities
- Opportunistic feeding behaviour
- Cleaning of equipment and primary statistical data analyses
- Computer orientation

Course 3. Photo-identification technique & bottlenose dolphins social structure:

- Bottlenose dolphins biology
- Dolphin photo-identification tecniques
- General notions about photography with SLR cameras
- Use of habitat studies
- Software for analysis of digital pictures for photoidentification purposes
- Bottlenose dolphin social structure and population estimates
- Software for analysis of dolphins social structure
- Ecological & behavioural transcription
- Cleaning of equipment and primary statistical data analyses
- Computer orientation

Course 4. Bioacoustics of wild bottlenose dolphins:

- Bottlenose dolphin biology
- Bottlenose dolphins sound production and reception
- Bottlenose dolphin vocalizations
- Whistles categorization
- Sound analysis
- Noise pollution
- Acoustic deterrent devices
- Software to bio-acoustical studies
- Cleaning of equipment and primary statistical data analyses
- Computer orientation

Qualifications:
- Minimum age of 18
- A lot of motivation and interest in dolphin research
- The ability to work a flexible, full-time schedule
- The ability to learn quickly and perform varied tasks in a fast-paced work environment
- Enthusiasm, and the open-mindedness to work, live and communicate with other people of mixed nationality and background

Cost in US$: From 80 US $ per day

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Dedicated to those who are interesting to participate to dolphin research and conservation campaigns. It is open to anyone age 18 and above, with no special prerequisites concerning research experience. No background knowledge of cetaceans is required, we ask only for you willing to learn about the dolphins and their environment.

Age Range: 18-60

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

Participants Travel to Italy Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4-9

Scholarships are Available. - Special fee for students

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

The Bottlenose Dolphin Researh Institute BDRI's Mission Statement: The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) is a center for Research, Education, and Training in bottlenose dolphins ecology and behaviour. BDRI members seek to contribute to the understanding and conservation of dolphins, expand the public's knowledge and concern for our marine environment. If you are planning to spend a period as part of your holidays, continuing education or a gap year, and are looking for a hands-on learning experience that incorporates boat based field work, marine mammals research, intensive training and mentoring in marine ecology, and encouragement to work hard, have fun, and learn from the dolphins and each other, then consider studying abroad with the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute. Using study techniques that neither harm nor seriously disturb the animals, BDRI's researchers are engaged in the conduction of a long term study about the ecology and behaviour of wild dolphins in Sardinia Island, as well as collecting detailed information about their environment. Because of the high degree of behavioural and social flexibility that bottlenose dolphins have demonstrated throughout their range, it is essential to understand factors effecting local dolphins if their populations are to be managed and conserved. The main purpose of this program is to contribute towards a more detailed understanding of the relationships between bottlenose dolphins and human activities. If the results of our research to date are any indication, then this year's project should be very productive, both in terms of our own enlightenment about the complex biology, behaviours and social system of these wild dolphins and in producing information bearing directly on the conservation and management of this dolphin species and others.

Year Founded: 1999