Turtle Conservation Jobs

Oportunidade de estágio

2012-02-07T08:18:00.000-01:00

Oportunidade de estágio: Oficial de Ligação à Comunidade

Auxiliar a Coordenação do Projecto e estabelecer a ligação entre a SOS Tartarugas e os diversos departamentos locais, como governo, autoridades e imprensa, assim como as comunidades locais. As tarefas incluem reuniões com representantes da Câmara Municipal, Departamento do Ambiente, Policia e Militares, promovendo uma boa comunicação e acompanhamento. Dará também apoio nas actividades de sensibilização e relações públicas com variados grupos das comunidades, tais como pescadores, escolas, hoteis, etc. Terá também responsabilidades administrativas como tratar de vistos e outras burocracias. Será treinado para desenvolver as actividades de campo com tartarugas marinhas.

Requisitos: Esta é uma posição multi-variada por isso deverá ter uma atitude flexível. Deverá ser diplomático, bom comunicador e bom negociador. Deverá ter boas capacidades administrativas e ser competente com computadores. Deverá ser capaz de traduzir documentos de Inglês para Português, falar fluentemente o Português e o Inglês e de estar à vontade para fazer de intérprete. Não é necessário ter conhecimentos sobre tartarugas marinhas mas deverá compreender e apoiar os os objectivos do projecto. Fluente em Inglês e Português ou Crioulo. Crioulo é um factor preferencial.

Benefícios: Alojamento e o salário de €100/mês.

Duração: Segunda quinzena de Maio a Dezembro.

Respostas.

Internship Opportunity : CommunityLiaison Officer

This person assists the ProjectCoordinator and is an essential link between SOS Tartarugas and the variousgovernment departments, authorities and media as well as the community. Duties will include meetings withrepresentatives of the Camara Municipal, Dept of Environment, Police andMilitary and generally ensuring good communication and the delivery of progressupdates. You will also assist withoutreach and public relations and may be involved in the organization ofactivities with various community groups such as fishermen, schools, hotelsetc. You will also haveadministrative duties such as dealing with visas or other government paperwork. You will be trained to work withnesting turtles.

Requirements: This is avaried position so you must have a flexible attitude. You need to be diplomaticand a good presenter and negotiator. You should have good administrative skills& be competent with computers. You must be able totranslate documents from English to Portuguese and interpret comfortably inspoken English & Portuguese. Youdo not need to know anything about turtles but you should understand and besympathetic towards the project’s goals. Fluent English and either Portugueseor Creole a must. Creole speakeris preferred.

Benefits: Accommodation& stipend of €100/month

Timing : Mid May -December

Application form here.

Still accepting applications to work with turtles in Africa

2012-01-17T17:18:00.003-01:00

The first deadline for Rangers for the 2012 season has passed - thanks to all those who took the time to apply - we'll be in touch again soon.

We will still accept applications from Capeverdean Creole or Portuguese speakers and we also continue to welcome applications for the tourism positions.
Application form here.

Short term volunteers can apply at any time.

About the project

2011-11-24T10:00:00.005-01:00

CaboVerde is the world’s third most important site for nesting loggerheadturtles. SOS Tartarugas beganoperations in June 2008 on Sal in response to the wholesale slaughter ofturtles as they came on to the beach to nest, a situation that may haveresulted in rapid extinction.. SOSTartarugas is a non-profit environmental organisation. The main objective is to protect andconserve loggerhead turtles through deterring illegal hunting and protectingnesting habitat. We work inconjunction with local and national government and law enforcement agencies andover four years have significantly reduced the number of nesting turtleskilled. SOS Tartarugas is based onSal but also works in conjunction with other partners on several moreislands. The organization is amember of TAOLA, the Cape Verdean Sea Turtle Network. For more information visit www.turtlesos.org orour blog

Theproject encompasses patrolling beaches (night and morning) to monitor nestingand deter hunting, data collection, research, working with tourists and localbusinesses, operation of hatcheries, outreach activities and beach clean-ups.The work is undertaken by full-time and part-time Rangers of many nationalitiesas well as volunteers from the community. Although there is a wide scope of activities within theproject, protection of nesting turtles continues to be the main focus and thiscan be stressful and tiring, but ultimately highly rewarding. You can find more information abouttypical nights and days on our blog. Extracts from thelog book

Theusual nesting season is from June until October with hatchlings being born frommid-August until late December. The project is based in Santa Maria, a popular tourist destination knownfor its beaches and water-sports. Participants are based in self-catering accommodation at Turtle House, (www.surfactivity.it) a surf hotel close tothe beach as well as in field camps. Due to expansion of the project there may be alternative accommodationin apartments close to Turtle House.

When & how you can participate in the project

2011-11-24T10:00:00.001-01:00

Thereare various ways in which you can contribute to the conservation of marineturtles in Cabo Verde, depending on your experience and the time you have available. We are inviting applications forvarying periods, ranging from a few weeks to the entire season. You can even participate if you haveonly a few days on your holiday. The available positions are described in more detail elsewhere.

Nestingusually begins in the second week of June and peaks during July & August,declining to one or two nests a day by the beginning of October. Hatching goes on until late December.July and August are intense and tiring with frequent encounters with hunters,you will need considerable mental and physical stamina, commitment and calmnessduring this time. Our workconsists of:

· June – Nightpatrols and morning patrols. Dailypresentations at the hatchery. Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach). Turtle Walks for guests start in thelast week of the month.

· July – Nightpatrols, morning patrols. Field camps operational. Daily presentations at the hatchery. Daytime work (maintenance, makingsigns, outreach). Turtle Walks.

· August -Night patrols, morning patrols. Field camps operational. Daily presentations at thehatchery. Daytime work(maintenance, making signs, outreach). Turtle Walks. Nestexcavations at the hatchery and on the beach, hatchling releases. Hatchery checks throughout the night.

· September -Night patrols, morning patrols. Field camps operational. Daily presentations at thehatchery. Daytime work(maintenance, making signs, outreach). Turtle Walks. Nestexcavations at the hatchery and the beach, hatchling releases. Hatchery checks throughout the night.

· October -Morning patrols. Afternoon patrols to excavate nests. Daily presentations at the hatchery. Daytime work (maintenance, makingsigns, outreach). Nest excavations at the hatchery. Hatchling releases. Hatchery checks throughout the night. Field camps close.

· November -Hatchery checks throughout the night. Morning & afternoon patrols toexcavate nests. Dailypresentations at the hatchery. Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach). Nest excavations atthe hatchery.

Download the job descriptions and application form here.

Condições especiais para candidatos cabo-verdiana

2011-11-24T09:56:00.000-01:00

Se és de Cabo Verde podemos dar assistência adicional.

Envia o teu currículo e uma carta de apresentação a dizer a vaga a que tecandidatas e as datas em que estás disponível.

Podes enviar a tua candidatura em inglês ou português.

How to apply

2011-11-24T09:53:00.001-01:00

Pleaseread the job descriptions and FAQs carefully before deciding which position youare most suitable for and the dates to which you can commit. Please thinkcarefully which time of year would suit your skills and personality best andwhether you have the stamina to sustain a long period of volunteering. An application form can be downloaded here

Please follow the instructions very carefully asincomplete or incorrect applications will not be accepted or acknowledged. Send your application to info@sostartarugas.org

Your application will beacknowledged within a few days. A personal interview or interview by skype maybe required. You will be notified shortlyafter the closing date if your application was successful and will be sent adetailed job offer with terms and conditions. You will have 10 days to accept the position.

Summary of positions

2011-11-24T09:51:00.001-01:00

Shark specialist needed

2011-11-24T09:30:00.000-01:00

If we can find the right person we will include a shark monitoring and education programme in 2012. If you have outstanding knowledge of sharks (biology, species identification, threats) we would like to hear from you. The job is primarily one of outreach so you must also have experience of working with fishing communities. In addition, you must speak either Capeverdean Creole or Portuguese (there will be no exceptions to this, please do not apply if you do not speak these languages).

The successful candidate will be employed as a Wildlife Ranger working with turtles as well as developing the shark programme.

If you are interested please apply in the usual way using the application form but also add a single page detailing your knowledge of and experience with sharks.

Wildlife Rangers (Full time – minimum commitment two months)

2011-11-24T09:23:00.001-01:00

We require Wildlife Rangers from the beginning of June untilmid-December. The minimum periodis two months but we are looking for several people who can commit for theentire season. Wildlife Rangersare responsible for protecting nesting loggerhead turtles, their eggs and thenesting beaches. Duties willinclude night patrols to deter hunters, tagging and measuring turtles andcollecting data and day patrols to relocate nests to the hatchery. Following the end of the nesting seasonRangers will be responsible for monitoring nests and releasing hatchlings. You may be asked to perform otherduties such as working in the hatchery, guiding visitors on nighttime walks aswell as participating in outreach activities with schools and other groups. You may also participate in or developresearch projects. This is an opportunity to be part of a new and expandingproject that is achieving excellent results and with your contribution willcontinue to evolve. It will notonly provide you with good experience of turtle conservation techniques but alsogive you the opportunity to make a real difference to the survival of marineturtles. Rangers have been directly responsible for saving numerous nestingturtles and hatchlings and experience a high level of satisfaction from beingable to rapidly affect the declining situation in Cabo Verde. Rangers are based in Santa Maria butspend varying periods at the field camp in basic conditions. Please note that onlywater and basic foods are provided in the camps (see section about the camp formore information).

We needmotivated, committed and flexible individuals with a strong desire to make adifference. Previous experience onturtle projects is not necessary but priority will be given to those withrelevant experience and who wish to develop a career in conservation work.

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

We patrol in pairs and are sometimes supportedby the military but you will encounter hunters on the beach even if soldiersare present. You should besure that you are mentally strong and calm enough to accept this.

Requirementsfor Wildlife Rangers (full time)

Desire to work in conservation
High level of energy & flexibility
At least 18 years old
Understand written and spoken English
Good attention to detail
Driving License
Good level of physical fitness
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

We areparticularly interested to hear from you if:

You have previous experience with a turtle conservation project
You have experience of working within a national parks system

You speak more than one language – particularly Kriolu, Portuguese, Italian, German or French
You are a mechanic and able to maintain quad bikes and a cars with limited resources
You have practical skills such as woodworking or building
You have sales or customer service skills
You have computer skills (design packages, spreadsheet or database management)
You have experience in tourism
You have legal experience
You are a teacher or have experience in environmental education
You have experience training and managing volunteers in a similar project

Benefits: Sharedaccommodation in surf hotel, Turtle House (www.surfactivitiy.it) is provided. A monthly food allowance of €100 permonth may be offered depending on experience or length of commitment. Rangers normally cook dinner communally for €10 perperson per week, other meals are prepared individually. Sal is not a cheap place to live so youshould have sufficient money to support yourself. Your allowance may be increased if you take on additionalresponsibilities (such as training, maintenance of equipment, data entry,liaison with volunteers and outreach activities) or show initiative thatresults in improvements in and development of the project. Expenses incurred on behalf of theproject will be reimbursed but no other costs will be paid.

Timing : We require Wildlife Rangers from thebeginning of June until mid-December and prefer candidates who can commit to twomonths or longer. Start datesrelate to training sessions and are as follows:

Weekcommencing 04 June/25 June/16 July/6 August/03 September. We have open start dates in September,October and November.

Tourism Manager

2011-11-24T09:22:00.005-01:00

You areresponsible for the development and delivery of all our activities withvisitors. These will include, butare not limited to, leading night-time visits to nesting beaches, presentationsat hotels, hatchling releases, kid’s clubs and daily presentations at thehatchery and the maintenance of relationships with businesses on Sal. You will be responsible for managingour turtle adoption scheme and selling merchandise to support the project. You will be responsible for our shop inSanta Maria. You are responsiblefor the management of two Tourism Rangers. You will also be required to dooccasional beach patrols with the other Rangers so that you can fullyunderstand the project goals and methods. This job is a mixture of daytime and nighttime shifts.

Previousexperience with turtles is an advantage but is not necessary, as full trainingwill be given. However, you needto have a strong desire to work in a conservation project and be able tocommunicate the project’s goals as well as having a belief in environmentallyconscious living. Your jobis to represent the project and you should be confident and outgoing. Previous experience in a sales orcustomer service environment is an advantage. You should be comfortable talking to large groups as well asindividuals and recognize that contact with turtles is often a life changingexperience for visitors. A largepart of your job is making that experience the best that it can be. You must be fluent in English andeither Portuguese, Italian or German. You must be trustworthy, financiallyastute, organized and have computer skills.

As we areonly in our fourth season there are many areas where expansion of our programmeis possible. You have theopportunity to fine tune our current activities and add new ones.

Requirementsfor Tourism Manager

Previous experience working with tourists or a background in sales or customer service
Management experience
Desire to work in conservation
Outgoing personality and good communication skills
Understand written and spoken English
One other language - either Portuguese, German or Italian
Driving License
Good level of physical fitness
High level of energy & flexibility. Innovative and creative
Able to make presentations to large groups of people (in English)
Ability to work and live with people of different backgrounds and nationalities
Able to work independently and show initiative
Excellent organizational skills
Computer skills (Word/Excel)
Presentable

Benefits: Shared accommodation at Turtle House (www.surfactvitiy.ie) and a livingallowance of €100 a month plus an incentive scheme based on financial andperformance targets. Expensesincurred on behalf of the project will be reimbursed but no other costs will bepaid.

Timing : Startdate week commencing 4 June to mid December. We prefer candidates who cancommit to the entire season.

Tourism Ranger (x2)

2011-11-24T09:22:00.003-01:00

Reporting tothe Tourism Manager you will be involved in all our activities withvisitors. These will include, butare not limited to, leading night-time visits to nesting beaches, hatchlingreleases, kid’s clubs and daily presentations at the hatchery. You will be promoting our Adopt aTurtle scheme and selling merchandise to support the project. You will also be required to dooccasional beach patrols with the other Rangers so that you can fullyunderstand the project goals and methods. This job is a mixture of daytime and nighttime shifts. Please consider that you will be accompanyingpeople on turtle walks six nights out of seven for as long as 14 weeks, sometimeswithout seeing a turtle. You needto be outgoing, resilient and cheerful to fulfill this job.

Previousexperience with turtles is an advantage but is not necessary, as full trainingwill be given. However, you needto have a strong desire to work in a conservation project and be able tocommunicate the project’s goals as well as having a belief in environmentallyconscious living. Your jobis to represent the project and you should be confident and outgoing. Previous experience in a sales or customerservice environment is an advantage. You should be comfortable talking to large groups as well as individualsand recognize that contact with turtles is often a life changing experience forvisitors. A large part of your jobis making that experience the best that it can be. You must be fluent in English. Another language (Portuguese,French, Italian or German) is a definite advantage. You must be trustworthy,financially astute, organized and have computer skills.

Requirementsfor Tourism Ranger:

Desire to work in conservation
Outgoing personality and good communication skills
Previous experience working with tourists
Understand written and spoken English (another language such as Italian, German or Portuguese is an advantage)
Driving License
Good level of physical fitness
High level of energy & flexibility
Able to make presentations to small groups of people
Ability to work and live with people of different backgrounds and nationalities
Able to work independently and show initiative
Organized & presentable

Benefits: Shared accommodation and a livingallowance of €100 a month. Rangers normally cook dinner communally for €10 perperson per week, other meals are prepared individually. Sal is not a cheap place to live so youshould have sufficient money to support yourself. Your allowance may be increased if you take on additionalresponsibilities or show initiative that results in improvements in anddevelopment of the project. Expenses incurred on behalf of the project will be reimbursed but no othercosts will be paid.

Timing : From mid June to mid December. Weprefer candidates who can commit to the entire season but will consider shorterperiods. Start dates 20 June/8 August/5 Sept.

Camp Coordinator (Full time – minimum commitment four months)

2011-11-24T09:22:00.001-01:00

The camp coordinator performs the same duties as Wildlife Rangersbut also manages the field camps that are planned for Serra Negra & MontLeão. The camp coordinator musthave experience of running remote field camps and preferably have at least three months ofexperience with nesting turtles.

The campcoordinator will spend varying periods in the camp (up to six days at a time)and be responsible for all aspects of the camp including:

· Training & motivation of volunteers andrangers

· Implementation of project protocol relatingto data collection, working with the turtles, nest relocation, monitoring ofnests, operation of hatchery

· Camp logistics (transportation, food, water)

· Health, safety and well being of volunteersand rangers including hygiene of the camp

· Collation of data

· Coordination with other aspects of theproject

Requirementsfor Camp Coordinator

Experience of management of remote field camps
Experience in similar turtle conservation project
Experience of managing volunteers
Desire to work in conservation
High level of energy & flexibility
At least 20 years old
Understand written and spoken English & Portuguese or Kriolu (or possibly Spanish)
Good attention to detail
Driving License
Good level of physical fitness
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

Benefits: Duringrest days and days in Santa Maria shared accommodation in surf hotel, TurtleHouse (www.surfactivitiy.it) isprovided as well as a monthly food allowance of €100 per month. Your allowancemay be increased if you take on additional responsibilities or show initiativethat results in improvements in and development of the project. Rangers normally cook dinner communallyfor €10 per person per week, other meals are prepared individually. Sal is not a cheap place to live so youshould have sufficient money to support yourself. Expenses incurred on behalfof the project will be reimbursed but no other costs will be paid.

Timing : 26 Juneto mid October but shorter periods may be considered.

Educação e Comunicação

2011-11-24T09:21:00.001-01:00

Nas últimas quatro temporadas foramestabelecidas patrulhas nas praias para deter os caçadores, em 2011estabelecemos uma forte campanha para sensibilizar as crianças e demaisresidentes, associações e empresas para a necessidade de proteger as tartarugasmarinhas. A população do Sal é extremamente diversa e abrange inúmerasnacionalidades sendo que algumas têm uma concepção errada sobre o nossotrabalho. A participação dos residentes em actividades de cariz ambiental émuito reduzida. O maior objectivo deste trabalho é sensibilizar a comunidadepara a conservação das tartarugas, aumentar a participação da população edivulgar o trabalho da organização.

Reportando ao Director de Educação e Comunicação,a pessoa que ocupar esta vaga será responsável por implementar programaseducativos nas escolas, criar eventos com outras organizações, workshops parapescadores e gerir outros eventos, tais como “acampamentos das tartarugas”,quer na ilha do Sal quer nas outras ilhas.

Experiência de trabalho com tartarugas é umfactor de vantagem mas não é obrigatório para ocupar esta vaga, uma vez que serádada formação sobre o tema. Contudo, é importante ter uma grande vontade detrabalhar num projecto de conservação, ter boa capacidade de comunicação paratransmitir os objectivos da organização e ter consciência ambiental. A pessoa que ocupar estavaga será a cara do projecto, como tal deverá ser confiante e extrovertida.Para além disso deve ser criativa, inovadora e com muita energia.

Será dada preferência a pessoas com experiênciaem educação ambiental (particularmente com crianças).

É requisito obrigatório falar fluentementeportuguês ou crioulo e compreender inglês.

Esta posição é uma mistura de trabalho diurnoe nocturno. É uma posição desafiante mas terás a oportunidade para mudar apercepção da comunidade sobre a conservação das tartarugas e envolvê-la noprojecto.

Requisitos para Educador ambiental; Oficial de comunicação

Vontade para trabalhar num projecto de conservação
Ser extrovertido e ter boa capacidade de comunicação
Experiência em Educação ambiental ou comunicação
Ser fluente em português ou crioulo
Compreender inglês
Ser criativo, energético e flexível
Ter capacidade para trabalhar sozinho e mostrar iniciativa
Organizado e apresentável

Benefícios: €300/mês sem acomodação ou €150/mês com acomodação. Serão pagas todas as despesas em prol do projectomas nenhum outro custo será suportado pela organização.

Duração : Contrato anual a partir de Fevereiro 2012.

Volunteers (Minimum commitment three weeks)

2011-11-24T09:20:00.001-01:00

Volunteers assist experienced full-time Rangers and, undersupervision, perform all the same duties, including night patrols to deterhunters, tagging and measuring turtles and collecting data and day patrols torelocate nests to the hatchery. Volunteers are also responsible for monitoringnests 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 withgood experience of turtle conservation techniques, but give you the opportunityto make a real difference to the survival of marine turtles. Volunteers havebeen directly responsible for saving numerous nesting turtles and hatchlingsand experience a high level of satisfaction from being able to rapidly changethe declining situation on Sal.

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

We areparticularly interested to hear from you if:

You speak more than one language – particularly Kriolu, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French or German
You have practical skills such as woodworking, building or vehicle maintenance
You have experience in tourism
Are a teacher or have experience in environmental education
Have computer experience (design packages or databases)
Have a legal background

Benefits: Volunteerspay €100 per week to cover accommodation, water & electricity but this doesnot include food. Please note thatwater and basic foods are provided in the camps (see section about the camp formore information). Rangersnormally cook dinner communally for €10 per person per week, other meals areprepared individually. Sal is nota cheap place to live so you should have sufficient money to supportyourself.

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

Timing : We require volunteers from the middleof June until mid-December. Startdates are flexible.

Apply here.

Working with turtles as part of your holiday

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If you would like to participate in the project as part of your holiday we can tailor make a programme to fit in with the time you have available. This is a good option for families as there are some activities that are suitable for children as young as 10. Your holiday could incorporate

Night time patrols on foot with Wildlife Rangers to nesting beaches where you will assist with turtles being tagged and measured (must have a good level of fitness)
Morning patrols to assist with relocations of nests
Working in the hatchery and helping with hatchling releases

You will be asked to pay a participation fee of €15 per person per day. We are a non-profit organisation and your fee goes directly to turtle conservation and community projects.

It is possible to participate from July until December. (Nesting season is from June to October with hatchlings being born from mid-August until mid-December)

You can choose to stay with the Rangers in Turtle House depending on availability (at additional cost). We can assist with holiday arrangement through our travel agency partners. Please email info@sostartarugas.org for more information.

FAQs

2011-11-24T09:14:00.001-01:00

WillI be trained to work with turtles? Yes, full training will be given and will be ongoing throughout theseason. For short-term volunteerstraining will be more hands on and less theoretical.

Inwhat way will this work further my career? The experience you will gain is onlylimited by your willingness to become involved. The project is multifaceted and not only would you learnabout working with nesting loggerhead turtles but you could also becomeinvolved in research projects, work with tourists, manage data, makepresentations, work with communities and with children, and possibly gainexperience of managing others. Youwill have experienced a new culture and will have demonstrated that you canwork hard and have the ability to cope under physically difficult conditions.

Researchprojects

If you are a student and wish to complete a research project aspart of your studies, we have several ongoing studies that may besuitable. We can also collaborateon the development of new studies that make a contribution to theconservation of loggerhead turtles in Cabo Verde. Research projects are undertaken in addition to duties as aRanger. If this is of interestplease complete the application form for a Wildlife Ranger position andcomplete the section regarding research projects.

CanI apply for shorter periods than those stated? Yes, for exceptional candidates datescan be flexible. Living allowances for Rangers are only offered if you make aminimum commitment of two months.

WillI be reimbursed for flights and other expenses? No, only benefits stated above will bepaid. There are opportunities toincrease your living allowance by taking on extra responsibility.

DoI need a visa? Yes, you shouldobtain a tourist visa suitable for your length of stay from your own countryprior to arrival in Cabo Verde. Wecan supply a letter supporting visa applications but cannot assist in any otherway.

Asa Wildlife Rangers will my living allowance cover all my expenses? The price of food and other items ishigh due to import taxes, you should bring extra money to cover unforeseencosts. In previous years Rangerscooked communally dinner on a budget of €10 per person per week, othermeals are prepared individually.

Whatis the weather like? Generally weather in Sal is warm and pleasant, (August and September arethe hottest months) with strong sea breezes. Usually small amounts of rain fall in August, September andOctober. Warm clothes are neededtowards the end of the season.

Whatare medical facilities like? There is a government run hospital which is basic and a private clinicwhich is expensive. Most medicinesare available, but you must arrange insurance that will cover repatriation inan emergency. We will not beresponsible for medical expenses and will ask for proof of insurance. Cases of malaria are rare in Sal butare sometimes seen on other islands.

Whatis it like living in Sal? Sal is a new tourism destination and as such is subject to power cuts,water shortages and other issues that may be expected in a developingnation. You will not find the samelevel of service and goods to which you may be accustomed. However, Santa Maria is a pleasantplace to live with low crime, a wide range of water sports, bars andrestaurants. The population on Salis a mix of European, African and Capeverdean. Those who come with a flexible and open attitude will enjoyexploring a different culture and maximizing their time on a sunny island withgreat water sports and good social life.

Howmuch leisure time will I have? During thenesting season you will usually work six days/nights a week, although this mayvary depending on the needs of the project. On your day off you will probablybe too tired to do much but sleep and rest but people do find the time to dive,sunbathe or sightsee.

Whatis the accommodation like? Turtle House is a surf hotel during the winter and has a range of roomsand communal areas with an outdoor space with hammocks. It is very close to the beach. All rooms are en suite with either twoor three beds (single sex sharing). Cooking and eating areas are communal. You are responsible for keeping your room and the communalareas clean. We recommend youvisit the website www.surfactivity.it.

Aboutthe field camps

Two field camps are planned, one at Serra Negra and one at MontLeão, the only Marine Protected Zone (MPZ) in Cape Verde. In 2011 Serra Negra had the highestdensity of turtles on Sal - it is therefore the best opportunity to work withturtles and is also where the majority of training will take place. Mont Leão has a lower nesting densitybut has a high mortality rate and therefore is a critical area forprotection. Both beaches are only20 minutes drive from Santa Maria but are quiet and infrequently visited. By participating in these camps youwill make a very real difference to the survival of nesting turtles onSal. You will stay on the beach ingroups of three or four living in tents, for three to six nights and have oneday of rest in Santa Maria at Turtle House each week. We may share the camp with soldiers.

During the night you will make patrols in the area and during theday will have time to rest and swim and perform maintenance duties around thecamp (including beach cleaning). There is a pit toilet and shaded areas but limited fresh water forshowering. Drinking water andbasic foodstuff is provided, including rice, pasta, sugar and tinned goodsbut you will be responsible for bringing fresh food, bread and other items withyou. Facilities and comfort willbe limited so you should be sure that you are able to cope with theseconditions before you apply for this option. You will be advised what you need to bring if you areoffered a place.

Whatis the best way to reach Sal? You can reach Sal (SID) from many European, African and Americancities. Flights to Cabo Verde canbe expensive and it is sometimes best to look for flights with charter, ratherthan scheduled airlines. One waybargains can often be obtained close to the day of travel. We suggest that you try the following :

From LisbonTACV Cabo Verde Airlines or TAP or White Airways

From the UK(Birmingham, Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands, Glasgow) www.thomsonfly.com or First Choice http://flights.firstchoice.co.uk/firstchoice/en-GB/booking/standardsearch

From Germany(Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Hanover) www.tuifly.com

FromBrussels www.jetairfly.com

From FranceExcel http://www.xlairways.fr/

From Scandanavia http://www.tuiflynordic.dkhttp://www.tuiflynordic.se http://www.tuiflynordic.fi,http://www.tuiflynordic.no

From the USAthere are direct flights on TACV from Boston to Praia (the capital city) but itis generally cheaper to fly via London or another European city.

Please bearin mind that flight prices and charter flights are often cheaper as you getcloser to the departure date.

Canmy partner, friends or relatives visit me on the project? This must be arranged in advance. Please note that during their visit itis unlikely that you will be able to take extra time off since we usually havethe minimum number of people we need. If your friends wish to stay in TurtleHouse (subject to availability) they will be required to pay for accommodationand will be expected to participate fully in the project.

WillI have time to see any other islands?

We recommendthat you allow time at the end of your contract to visit other islandsor to relax before going home. Ifyou are accepted, the date that you have been given as your end date is thedate you will be expected to work until. Any breaks in work (such as graduation ceremonies) must be notifiedprior to the start of your contract.

Howcan I find out more about SOS Tartarugas? Please visit our website (www.turtlesos.org)and blog (http://turtlesoscaboverde.blogspot.com/).

Why this project is different to other projects

2011-11-23T01:55:00.000-01:00

The work is very direct and hands on. We are saving turtles from being killed, preventing the loss of nests and protecting habitat. You will see immediate results from your work.
We do not charge you HUGE FEES. The majority of participants actually GET PAID a living allowance plus accommodation.
By taking on more responsibility you have the opportunity to EARN MORE.
The accommodation is incredible and only made possible by the support of the owners of Turtle House/SurfActivity.
We are based in a tourist resort so there are a lot of restaurants and bars plus great beaches and access to watersports (world famous windsurfing spot, diving, sailing)
You can get involved in other aspects of the project such as tourism, outreach, research (ongoing work on beach suitability, sex-ratio and in-water studies).
It's not just us - there's loads of people who live here of all nationalities who give one or two nights a week to protecting the turtles - it makes it a multi-national, multi-aged, interesting place to work.