Jungle and Primate Conservation Supporter

INTRODUCTION 

The Biological Station is locate in Madre de Dios, Capital of the Biodiversity in Peru, as  volunteer, during your time here, while you learn you will helping to us protecting this important ecosystem and maintenance our conservation projects. As an intern or research you will help to us to know more about the amazon rainforest. Your contributions is very important for continuous creating new opportunities for help this amazing part of the Jungle of Madre de Dios.

The program offers volunteers an opportunity to get directly involved in rainforest conservation efforts. You will work alongside and learn from the rest of the field team and you will play a vital role in maintaining a presence on our reserve and part of the Tambopata National Reserve, in the remote Peruvian Amazon. Our staff provide an on-going supply of research data which helps us identify where threats may occur and what activities are being carried out on the land. In addition, this contributes to the long-term collection of core data sets and helps to maintain an extensive trail network.

Also as an intern or researcher you will be independent and responsible for your own study and time. Your work will help us gain valuable knowledge and preserve one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.  The area of the project includes the conservation concession and part of the Tambopata National Reserve, we have an agreement with them and work together in research and monitoring programs.

Primates and Spider Monkey program

We have a main project with primates, special with the amazing spider monkey, our director is a specialist in this specie. We have a long term study with them, for understand the seasonal variation behavior studying pattern activities, diet and habitat used, for compared this results with wild populations of spider monkey, because the groups of monkeys that we study were reintroduced 7 years ago by our director and other organizations, so is important to know how this group doing in the forest and the impact of them in the natural regenerations.

The importance to study this group and protect them for hunting is because they are local extinct around this area, this is the unique success of reintroduction group that have been report in Peru with spider monkeys. Protect the area where the live is important for ensure that his population can grow safety.

Also within the area there is an abundance wildlife such a jaguar, puma, tapir, harpy eagle, different species of monkeys, birds, frogs, bats, insect, etc…there is a lot of important trees that works as a key species for this ecosystem, this area give you opportunity where you can explore, learn, help and/or develop your own research.

The minimum duration of participation is 2 weeks for volunteers, but is strongly recommended to participate at least 4 weeks to make your experience unique. For interns the minimum period is 4 weeks in advance.  

Volunteers follow a daily schedule and normally work an average of 6-8 hours in the field each day, some days more depending on the activities, there will also be time to process the information and data collected. Some of the work is seasonal and as a volunteer you will work on a variety of tasks during your time at the reserve. While some morning tasks start early, there is plenty of time in the evening to relax after work. You will also normally rest during the middle of the day to avoid the midday heat.

Intern and research are people who can work independently and carry out their own activities during the time they need for their research or intern. If you don’t have a research proposal or planned internship program, we can either help you create your own research proposal or offer you one of our main projects.

Example program for every two weeks:

• Day 1: Arrival and transport to the station (Sunday)
  
• Day 2-7: Activities and ongoing programs (Saturdays half day resting)
  
• Day 8: Resting (Sunday)
  
• Day 9-13: Activities and ongoing programs (Saturdays half day resting)
  
• Day 14: Departure (Saturday)
  

ACTIVITIES AND ONGOING PROGRAMS: 

You will participate directly in all the projects that we carry and are in the process of developing, including the following activities:

•   Study the seasonal variation behavior of spider monkeys (activity pattern, diet and habitat use)
•   Location and habituation of groups of dusky titi monkeys for ecological and behavioral studies
•  Taking part in biodiversity studies and wildlife monitoring using standards methodologies (plots, lineal transepts, sensor camaras, etc)
•   Phenology studies of angiosperms and monitoring vegetation plots
•   Mapping and monitoring the main timber species within concession
•   Patrolling the perimeter and trails of the conservation area
•   Recording the status and health of the lands surrounding the reserve
•   Recording any evidence of illegal activities
•   Assisting in the maintenance and development of the field station 
•   Help in the maintenance of the organic farm and more

Volunteers can arrived trought all year and since you arrive you will go directly to the Reserve- Please considerer that Sunday is the only day you may enter the reserve and that Saturday is the only day for departure to Puerto Maldonado. Book your transport accordingly.                                                                                                                                          -