Job Type: volunteer position
Opportunity location: Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Closing date (if specified): 30 Nov 2011
Opportunity Description:
We need Research Assistants for our ISV Leatherback and Pacific Green Sea Turtle Research Project in Ostional, Costa Rica.
We need Research Assistants for two time periods:
• November 1st 2010 until January 20th 2011
• January 15th 2010 until April 20th 2011
(Please specify in your application the date you are interested in)
Purpose of Project
To improve the knowledge of the biology and ecology of the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Pacific green (Chelonia mydas agassizii) sea turtles on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and implement guidelines for better conservation actions.
Project Description
Ostional beach is located within the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) in the province of Guanacaste on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is an important nesting beach for three of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, and has been active in sea turtle conservation for the past 40 years.
The three species that use the beach are:
• Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) nest from October – March.
• Pacific green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas agassizii) nest from May – November.
• Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). Year round, this species exhibits solitary nesting as well as an unusual mass nesting behavior called arribada.
This is the seventh year that the ISV project has been running in Ostional. Our research is focused on the leatherback and Pacific green populations, which historically have received less attention than the olive ridley turtles that nest at this beach. Until 2004 no comprehensive research on leatherback and Pacific green turtle activity at Ostional had ever been carried out and, despite high rates of poaching being reported, no specific measures had been implemented to protect these species.
The leatherback sea turtle is in critical danger of extinction, having experienced a loss of 80% of the total world population in the last 10 years. Populations on the main nesting beaches of the Pacific have declined in some cases by 90%. It is estimated that by the year 2015 the Pacific Ocean leatherback may disappear completely if no action is taken. The Pacific green sea turtle (also known as the black turtle) is currently classified as endangered. Years of nest stealing and an excessive mortality rate of adults and juveniles caused by fisheries and pollution can be considered the main causes for these turtles decline.
There is clearly an urgent need of conservation to safe guard these populations, however without data that provides knowledge of their biology and nesting habits it is difficult to frame appropriate management strategies. It is hoped that long term monitoring will yield data on adult females and their nests to enable the formulation of management alternatives that can be put into practice at this beach.
Project Duration
November 1st 2010 – April 20th 2011
The work
• Leading groups of volunteers on nightly beach patrols
• Collection of biometric data from nesting females
• Relocation of nests
• Morning track surveys
• Equipment maintenance
• Overseeing the operation of the hatchery (nest monitoring, collection of biometric data from hatchlings and hatchling liberation)
• Exhumations
• Volunteer training and involvement in educational discussions
• Assisting the Field Coordinator in the general smooth running of the project
Other work involves beach cleanup (to remove debris that would impede the movement of nesting females or hatchlings) and projects including the initial construction of a beach hatchery.
Qualifications/Requirements:
• 21+ years of age
• Bachelor degree in Biology, Environmental studies, Ecological tourism or related field (completed or undertaking)
• Previous field experience related to conservation
• Fluency in English and/or Spanish
• Ability to work as part of a culturally diverse team
• Adherence to project rules to maintain a professional working environment and project image
• A positive attitude to motivate volunteers and help create an enjoyable experience
• Ability to withstand hot, humid and dry climate
• Ability to walk long distances (up to 12kms per night) on soft sand
• Personal travel medical insurance policy
Previous sea turtle experience is a great advantage, however full training will be provided upon arrival to the project site.
We appreciate people who use their initiative, are problem solvers, look to be useful in their spare time, and are interested in getting to know the community, understanding what community life is like, and what the community is trying to achieve without compromising their values.
Research Assistants must have a reasonable level of fitness as the work can be moderately strenuous to heavy, depending on the task. ISV requires details of any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions to be declared at the time of application.
Accommodation
Research Assistants will stay in the station of MINAET (Ministry of Environment and Energy and Technology) for the duration of the project.
Cost
The Research Assistant position is voluntary, and chosen RAs are expected to cover their own travel expenses, as well as their own room and board during their stay ($15 US per day to cover accommodation and three meals a day at the MINAET station)
For more info, contact:
Interested applicants please send a cover letter, a current CV, and three names of references to:
Christine Figgener (Fieldcoordinator)
savetheseaturtles@gmail.com
Our Opportunity ID: 16245
Research Assistant - ISV Sea Turtle Research Project Ostional
