You will participate directly in the spider monkey conservation. The area of the project includes a conservation concession and part of the Tambopata National Reserve.
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.
Typical day
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
- 7:00 am: Breaksfast
- 8-11:30am: Activities and ongoing programs
- 12-13pm: Lunch
- 13-14pm: Resting time
- 14-17.30pm: Activities and ongiong programs
- 19pm: Dinner time
- 20pm: Social time, classes, videos, meetings or presentations
Details on Arrival
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. -
Free-time activities
Program Requirements
Suitable for
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
All volunteer fees are put straight back into vital research, the monitoring of wildlife and various conservation projects.
- Food
- Lodging (Eventual cost of renting necessary material)
- Equipment, tools
- Transfer
from the accommodation to the research site
- Other
expenses: (communication, taxas, project development, maintenance, etc)
- Acommodation
- Salary for on site managing and training
(strictly limited to the length of the project)
The follow transfer price is included in the cost:
- Arriving: pick up in the airport, transport to the port and
river transport to the field
- Departure: only the River transport to the City (*)
(*)Only in departure in the last day the taxi from the city to the airport must be cover for the volunteer (3 euros), because they do have different schedule time of fly or bus and they use to spend few hours in the city before go to the airport or bus station.
Please consider 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.
- The
boat departs the city of Puerto Maldonado for the Station every Sunday at 15:00.
It is recommended to arrive in the city one day before or on Sunday before
14:30.
- The
boats return and arrived to the city of Puerto Maldonado every Saturday 9:00
am. It is recommended to buy your flights or bus tickets after this time or
days later.
- Extra
boats will only be available in case of emergency or when needed.
The Station is designed for expedition-style research and learning programs. It has a rustic style; for those who love nature and raw wilderness, this is the perfect place for immersion into the wild. The station is located near to the Madre de Dios River. The station has areas for living, dining and work. This is where, among other activities, you can interact and play games, meals are served and data is downloaded and entered. We also have a number of hammocks dotted around the station.
Volunteers will have direct connection with the nature and experience about living in group in the jungle with basic conditions and having a good culture exchange. Volunteers will be in share dorms 2-4 person with a comfortable bed and with private bathrooms/showers.
Electricity now is provided for generators which are only active during some parts of the day (in the near future we are planning to install solar panels). You will have opportunities to recharge electronic items and use electronic equipment in midday and evenings after dark. At 9pm the lights go out. You will be with provided candles and are encouraged to bring personal battery powered lights/torches with enough power for your stay.
Due to the remoteness of the Station there is not a strong phone signal and no internet. But there are some areas, near to the river, where you can get some connection/signal for call or internet if you have a local SIM number (Claro Company) or international program.
Not we do not offer special servicer, however you can do your own laundry in the field station or sending to wash it in Puerto every 2 weeks or do your laundry when you go to the city, it is around 2 dollars per kilo.
Meals are served in the common areas. we offer 3 meals everytday with free water and fruits. The kitchen at the camp may also be used by those who prefer to prepare their own meals.
Breakfast: Stronger breakfast (milks, eggs, fruit salads, bread, coffee, cereals, juice, etc.)
Lunch: variation of typical daily Peruvian food (rice, pasta, beans, salads, etc)
Diner: variation of typical daily Peruvian food (rice, pasta, beans, salads, etc)
Volunteers will help to prepare them and sometime they can prepare some special dishes from their countries and culture. There will be special diet for vegetarians and vegans. Vegans must be bring their personal vitamins for cover nutritionals requirements (e.g iron tables, proteins, etc)