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Location: Chiapas, South Mexico
Duration: Minimum 3 months
Cost: Prices depend upon how long you wish to commit;
3 months: $4,500 USD
4 months: $5,400 USD
5 months: $6,300 USD
6 months: $7,200 USD
Additional month: $900 USD
Costs include domestic travel transportation, all food and accommodation, 24 hour support and project activities.
Travel: You will be given easy to follow instructions on how to get from Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport in Chiapas, Mexico to the Project HQ.
Introduction
This is a unique opportunity to visit one of the most remote and beautiful places in the world, the cloud forest reserve. You will assist park managers and staff to search for and monitor critically endangered species, such as the; Jaguar (Panthera onca), Tapir (Tapirus bairdii), Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) and Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus). The long treks on the trail also offer an excellent opportunity to observe other local flora and fauna species.
This is an ongoing project carried by a research team formed by experienced park rangers and scientific researchers.
The general purpose of this project is to investigate the condition of the target species populations, which are priority for the conservation of the reserve. Throughout the year, the volunteers collect the fieldwork data for biological monitoring, which is managed by the park rangers and researchers. The work is done on two sites: in the core zone of the reserve, with its base Camp where you will be staying, and on a local coffee farm.
The fieldwork consists of visiting previously identified trails, in each one of the sample sites for one week each month. The objective is to collect evidence of the presence of the four priority species being researched. You will take photographs; record sounds, footprints and other evidence of a physical presence; record the age of the individuals sighted and conduct observed; and record the environmental conditions of the site (temperature, state of the vegetation, human presence, etc). If physical evidence such as footprints, feathers, etc. is found, the position will be recorded and then it will be collected and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The fieldwork will be complemented with office work - data entry of the information collected in the field and assisting researchers with specific laboratory activities.
You will gain invaluable experience in outdoor survival skills and firsthand knowledge of biological monitoring of threatened species in one. Initial training will be given in first aid, survival skills in remote places, CPR, food preparation in remote places, the use of GPS technology, radios, and trap cameras. Skills will be developed to identify wildlife, to work in teams, to use fieldwork techniques like the identification of bird vocalization, transect work, the identification of animals’ footprints and droppings, the use of trap cameras and managing a database of the collected samples.
Daily Life
Very early at sunrise, after enjoying a cup of high quality, locally produced coffee, the monitoring team leaves camp to walk along the trail assigned for that day. The team divides intogroups of two to be able to move around making as little noise as possible and so that the fauna of the site is able to perceive as little disturbance as possible. During the three kilometer-long trail, data collectors record the presence of an individual of the priority species on previously designed formats. If physical evidence is found, it is collected in labeled bags, photographs are taken, and other methods used and recorded for their subsequent analysis in the laboratory.
Midway through the morning, after five hours of walking, the team returns to the camp to prepare and eat lunch and to organize the collected samples and prepare for another excursion. In the late afternoon, the second walk begins, in which new evidence of the physical presence of the priority species is collected. The work finishes at 7:30 pm and then volunteers return to the camp to prepare and eat dinner, to talk to the park rangers and organize the excursion for the following day.
From Monday through Friday, volunteer data collectors walk along each of the five previously defined paths collecting samples and recording observations. In the evenings, volunteers organize the samples and verify that the information is recorded correctly. On Saturday morning, you will collect the equipment, materials and samples and travel back to the park management office where they hand in the samples and records to the person in charge of the biological monitoring.
Accommodation
The accommodations at the base camp are very rustic. There are two dormitories with three bunk beds each. The dormitories are found in a clearing right in the middleof the cloud forest, providing unequalled opportunities to observe the wildlife, plus an amazing place to live! Your team will take turns preparing meals in a traditional hut used as a shared kitchen. There is hot water in the shared bathrooms.
The coffee farm has two rustic cabins with shared bathrooms but does not have hot water.
The food is based on typical local dishes and is prepared in a shared kitchen.
Requirements
A working knowledge of Spanish is needed. An academic background in biology and/or ecology is preferred. You should be prepared for several hours a day of moderate to intense physical activity in a mountainous terrain. You should also be prepared for extended stays in rustic conditions.
* Min age 18
* Minimum 3 months commitment - 30+ hours a week.
* Enthusiasm and interest to work in environmental conservation and development
* Intermediate Spanish
* Full travel & medical insurance
* Necessary vaccinations
* Necessary flights & visas
NO commission is added to the cost of this project by Global Nomadic. We ask instead for a flat placement fee of £195 per project (paid securely via Paypal). We offer full pre-departure support, ongoing email assistance and a full range of discounts with our selected partners.
Send us an email enquiry to find out more, or click the 'Join this Project' button below if you are ready to get involved. |
