Tambopata is an
incredible place. Most of my assistants leave vowing to return as soon as they
can. Most do and some never leave! So look over the information below and decide
if you want to apply to work on this ongoing conservation research project in
an absolutely enthralling location.
The Study Sites --- Dates --- Duties --- Who should apply --- Costs --- How to Apply --- Earthwatch Volunteer --- Details for Project Applicants
Dates:
All year, every year. Minimum commitment 6 weeks, 2 months preferred. If you are only available for 2 weeks, consider becoming an EarthWatch Volunteer - more suitable for employed persons.
Primary duties:
Most volunteers end up involved in most of the duties. Duties depend on the location at which you are based.
Nest Monitoring:
This is an important activity at TRC. It requires extensive climbing
using ropes and jumar ascenders to check macaw nests in natural cavities and
PVC boxes. Other duties will include constructing and hanging PVC nest boxes
and observing macaw and parrot behavior at nests and clay licks. If you are
specifically intersted in this, you must be in good condition and have no fear
of heights. Climbing experience is a plus.
Clay
Lick Monitoring: This activity takes place at all locations, either
on riverside clay-licks or small inland clay licks. It involves up to several
hours of observation from one point (a hide or beach), taking notes on birds
at the clay licks. This is an activity that can be undertaken by almost anyone.
Skills that are required are bird identification and good note taking. At some
times of the year small black flies and sweat bees can be rather bad, so volunteers
must be able to tolerate insects.
Parrot Census:
This activity will take place at all locations as it is a main focus
of the 2006 research. Transects are walked along jungle trails looking for parrots
and macaws in the morning, and at some sites afternoon walks are done to conduct
point counts. A degree of fitness is required, as some round trips will involve
walks of over 10km.
Who should apply:
Anyone who wants to work in the field for an extended period of time. The following attributes help: Physicall fitness, enthusiasm, at least a basic grip of Spanish, experience working with birds and working in the field or a deep desire to learn these skills. Applicants must be self-disciplined, responsible, patient, and able to get along well with others in a remote field setting.
In 2006 we are looking for volunteers to help with the ongoing work at TRC and work on the following additional projects. All projects are located in prime rainforest sites in southeastern Peru.
1. Monitoring the impacts of boat traffic on macaw and parrot clay licks on the Las Piedras River (6 January - 24 February).
2. Parrot Censuses and clay lick monitoring at the Chuncho clay lick along the Tambopata River (1-30 March, 1-30 August, 1-25 November).
3. Parrot census and Mammal click monitoring at the Malinowsky park guard post (7-30 Apri, 7-30 September, 1-23 December).
4. Year round parrot census and monitoring at Refugio Amazonas and Posada Amazonas, two lodges run by Rainforest Expeditions.
Tambopata Research Center: Situated on the border of the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park next to the largest macaw and parrot clay lick in the world, this lodge was initially created with macaw conservation in mind. Wildlife of all sorts is abundant, including frequent Jaguar and Tapir sightings.
Posada Amazonas: An Award-winning lodge half owned by the native Ese-eje community, this lodge has been the location of preliminary macaw research and much interesting anthropological work.
Refugio Amazonas: The newest of the Rainforest expedition lodges, with a set of active mammal clay licks. No research has been done here before and we are eager to explore the area.
Malinowsky Park Guard Post: No people live beyond this control post on the Tambopata River. The Macaw Project will be training local park guards into birds census techniques during 2006.
$10 per day to help cover the cost of food and lodging.
Volunteers must pay their transportation to Puerto Maldonado, Peru. Volunteers are also encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance. Volunteers should also budget for incidental expenses for the 4 to 5 days they may may be in town.
Field gear, Suggested Reading, Communication at the lodges and more information...
All applications must be sent by e-mail to djb4@duke.edu and should include the following information:
1. Cover letter expressing why you are interested in working on the project, your experience and your future plans
2. Resume or CV Names and e-mail addresses for 3 professional references
3. The range of dates you are available and the amount of time you would like to stay within those dates: For example “I am available for any 8 week period from September – January”
I am often in the field and the delay in response time may be substantial. Please accept my apologies in advance for this.
Primary Duties
Observe nests of Scarlet Macaws and monitor clay lick activity
Time Frame
Fixed dates in Nov – February each trip lasts 10 – 12 days
For more information and how to sign up please visit the official EarthWatch website. Unfortunately I do not handle the logistics for these so I will be unable to help provide you with more details, so please contact EarthWatch directly if you are interested.
Chuncho Clay-Lick: Possibly the second largest clay lick in the world, this is a popular camping ground for many lodges. Jaguar sightings around this area are commonly reported.