Fauna Forever Tambopata - Wildlife Monitoring Project

  Peru

• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Puerto Maldonado

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: 6th July 2009 - 18th July 2010

Description: Volunteer Researchers Needed for Wildlife Project in the Peruvian Amazon!

Do you care about the environment? Love nature? Have enthusiasm for participating in a project with a real purpose? If so, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with experts in tropical ecology and to make a long-term contribution towards wildlife conservation in the rainforests of Peru!

Fauna Forever Tambopata is a long-term wildlife and ecotourism monitoring project based in and around the Tambopata National Reserve and Bahuaja Sonene National Park in the Amazon rainforest of south-eastern Peru. This region lies on the eastern edge of the Tropical Andes biodiversity hotspot, the richest and most diverse area on Earth. The Project is offering places to volunteer researchers to help carry out wildlife monitoring. No previous research experience is required, but volunteer researchers will be expected to make a contribution to costs associated with their travel, food and accommodation.

Highlights: The research sites are located in some of the world's most biodiverse rainforests, including prize-winning ecolodges run by Rainforest Expeditions and the two oldest ecolodges and research stations in the Peruvian Amazon: the Explorers Inn and Reserva Amazonica.

The positions are ideal for anyone interested in gaining tropical forest fieldwork experience in ecology and wildlife monitoring. You will be trained in wildlife surveying techniques and species identification skills.

The Project is part of the Fauna Forever research initiative and has been on-going since 1997. It has already completed two successful projects training over 100 volunteers in wildlife monitoring techniques, leading towards better understanding of the natural dynamics of wildlife populations, and the impacts of human activities. As such, we are in an excellent position to offer those who are seeking a career in conservation the opportunity to work alongside scientists who are at the forefront of research and conservation work in Peru.

Qualifications: Applicants should be at least 18 years of age, be in good health, have a fairly good level of physical fitness, and be able to swim 100 m unaided. A keen interest, educational qualifications, and previous experience in a related biological field would be an advantage. Some knowledge of Spanish would also be useful, but is not essential for most aspects of the work, which will be directed in both English and Spanish. A sense of adventure, and the ability to endure often challenging conditions are essential - as is a good sense of humour!

To apply: Please contact us for an Application Form and email it with your CV (no more than 2 pages). In your application make sure to include which wildlife monitoring team you are interested in joining.

Cost in US$: $4250 maximum

    * All accommodation in Puerto Maldonado and at field sites (ecotourist lodges and research stations);
    * Food and water (3 nutritious meals per day and clean drinking water). Bottled soft-drinks (Coke, Fanta, Sprite, etc.) can be purchased separately from lodge and research station staff at each site;
    * All training provided by the team of principal researchers (theoretical and practical);
    * All transport (bus and motorized canoe) in Puerto Maldonado and to/from field sites (includes airport welcome on day of arrival and send-off on day of departure);
    * All in-country and field support provided by Project Manager and Wildlife Team Co-ordinators;
    * Access to the project's electricity generator for recharging batteries;
    * Cost of off-setting green house gas emissions from project activities in Tambopata (mainly boat transport and electricity generator);
    * Use of all project field and communication equipment;
    * Certificate of participation (given on completion of a Phase);
    * The confirmation fee of US$400, which effectively reserves your place on your chosen phase and wildlife team.

The contribution fee does not include:

    * International flights to Lima, Peru;
    * Domestic/internal flights between Lima and Puerto Maldonado;
    * Travel and health insurance (this is compulsory for all participants);
    * Carbon off-setting of emissions from international and domestic flights (strongly recommended, we suggest using Conservation International's Carbon Calculator that can be found on their website);
    * Personal spending money (we suggest US$250 for chilled bottled soft-drinks, special meals out in Puerto Maldonado, laundry, postage, telephone calls and internet).

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A typical volunteer is someone with a passion for wildlife, with enthusiasm to learn, and carry out wildlife monitoring, and be keen to learn a little Spanish along the way. The Project also suits under graduates and postgraduates who wish to collect data for their research, but the Project is not restricted to academics. Passion and enthusiam are all you need!

Age Range: 18 - 60+

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

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of Max 3

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

Fauna Forever Tambopata's Mission Statement: Fauna Forever Tambopata is a long-term wildlife and ecotourism monitoring project based in the lowland rainforests of Tambopata, Madre de Dios, Peru, that undertakes biological and socio-economic research within the conservation and volunteer sectors.

Year Founded: 2008