River Otters Project

  Brazil

• Southern Brazil: 
Florianopolis

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: throughout the year

Description: On an attractive island in the south of Brazil, well known for its natural beauties, wonderful beaches, surfing, sailing and scuba diving, you will participate in field research on river otters. You will be kayaking or trekking to monitor in the field for all kinds of traces of the otters and their activities.

We need to know more about river otters for their preservation in Brazil. So please join for anything from two weeks to several months for hands-on participation in this field research and conservation work.

You will feel living, breathing and sleeping on a research atmosphere. At the end of the day you may go to sleep tired and the experience will feel even more enriching - it will be something to remember in future.

Your activities include treks through the Atlantic Forest and dunes, rafting in rivers, use of canoes and kayaks, and nocturnal observations. Depending on the weather your fieldwork may be done by kayaking or trekking and it will include analysis of the otter's frequency at the shelters, monitoring of nests, ethological studies and food habits. One of the field trips may include rafting in order to collect data. It is very difficult to spot otters and most of the work is made through registering signs. Though most of your work is fieldwork also some lab work is involved.

Although based at Piri Lake, you will be able to make short visits to the other study areas where you will always be accompanied by experienced staff.

University students with long term participation may work on special projects and may also submit a project proposal to be carried out under joint supervision of your uni supervisor and project staff.

Highlights:
. serious and recognized scientific project, many papers published;
. wonderful environment, Atlantic forest; comfortable accommodations;
. base placed inside a park;
. local community very close, walking distance to a small center;
. weekends free, possibility to explore the beauties of the island by yourself;
. families accepted.

Qualifications:
* Minimum age 18, no upper age limit (children with parent accepted)
* You have to speak English or Spanish or Portuguese
* If you are seriously overweight or have difficulties walking, you may experience some problems in participating
* You should be prepared to share the work and collaborate with the researchers
* You will have plenty of time to explore the environment on your own. Safety rules, however, must be followed
* Sense of humor and partnership are most important

Cost in US$: 15 days/14nights - 745 Euros; 3rd week - 330 Euros; 4th week - 288 Euros; every extra week - 246 Euros; children with parents, from 6 to 12 years old, 30 Euros / night.

Experience Required: no

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 Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Instituto Ekko Brasil's Mission Statement: Improve quality of life for future generations by maintaining the biodiversity, conservation of ecosystems and threatened species.

Year Founded: 2004