Information about jobs, volunteering opportunities and holidays working in turtle conservation in Cabo Verde Africa. For more general information turtle conservation on Sal visit the Turtle SOS website, facebook page or blog.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Volunteers (Preferred commitment three weeks)

THERE IS NO APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR VOLUNTEERS
YOU CAN APPLY AT ANY TIME.

Volunteers assist experienced full-time Rangers and, under supervision, perform all the same duties, including night patrols to deter hunters, tagging and measuring turtles and collecting data and day patrols to relocate nests to the hatchery. Volunteers are also responsible for monitoring nests and releasing hatchlings.  You may be asked to perform other duties such as working with tourists, outreach activities and research projects. It will not only provide you with good experience of turtle conservation techniques and give you the opportunity to make a real difference to the survival of marine turtles. Volunteers have been directly responsible for saving numerous nesting turtles and hatchlings and experience a high level of satisfaction from being able to rapidly change the declining situation on Sal.  You will spend periods of time in the field camps (usually three days at a time).

This is challenging work that can be extremely tiring and stressful.  You will work during the night as well as during the day.  A good level of fitness and physical and mental energy is required as patrols are long (possibly all night), conducted on foot may be as much as 15km. Shift patterns vary but you will have one day’s rest per week.  Read the FAQs for more information.

During your volunteer period you will have the opportunity to participate in other activities such as sightseeing, diving and other water-sports.

Requirements:
  • Desire to work in conservation
  • At least 18 years old
  • Understand written and spoken English
  • Good level of physical fitness
  • High level of energy & flexibility
  • Used to physically challenging conditions (long walks, late nights, hot weather, insects)
  • Ability to work and live with people of different backgrounds and nationalities
  • Able to work independently and show initiative

Volunteer Fees: Volunteers pay €100 per week to cover accommodation, water and electricity but this does not include food.  Please note that water and basic foods are provided in the camps (see section about the camp for more information).  Rangers normally cook dinner communally for €10 per person per week, other meals are prepared individually.  Sal is not a cheap place to live so you should have sufficient money to support yourself. 

Once a volunteering period has been agreed you will be asked for a deposit with the full amount payable eight weeks prior to arrival.  A cancellation fee of 20% will be applied after this time.

Timing :  We require volunteers from the middle of June until mid-December.  Start dates are flexible.  Minimum period one week but we prefer applicants who can participate for three weeks.

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