Still accepting applications to work with turtles in Africa

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

Cabo Verde is the world’s third most important site for nesting loggerhead turtles.  SOS Tartarugas began operations in June 2008 on Sal in response to the wholesale slaughter of turtles as they came on to the beach to nest, a situation that may have resulted in rapid extinction..  SOS Tartarugas is a non-profit environmental organisation.  The main objective is to protect and conserve loggerhead turtles through deterring illegal hunting and protecting nesting habitat.  We work in conjunction with local and national government and law enforcement agencies and over four years have significantly reduced the number of nesting turtles killed.  SOS Tartarugas is based on Sal but also works in conjunction with other partners on several more islands.  The organization is a member of TAOLA, the Cape Verdean Sea Turtle Network.  For more information visit www.turtlesos.org or our blog

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

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

When & how you can participate in the project

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

Nesting usually 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 calmness during this time.  Our work consists of:

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

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

·      August - Night patrols, morning patrols. Field camps operational.  Daily presentations at the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach).  Turtle Walks.  Nest excavations 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 the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach).  Turtle Walks.  Nest excavations 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, making signs, 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 to excavate nests.  Daily presentations at the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach). Nest excavations at the hatchery.

Download the job descriptions and application form here.

How to apply

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

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

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

Get the application form here.

Summary of positions

Guidelines for research proposals

SOS TARTARUGAS RESEARCH GUIDELINES 2012

In order to understand the objectives of the project please read the information on our website and blog.  For your thesis or research to be accepted your proposal should indicate the benefit to the project & turtle conservation in Cape Verde.

Please note that you must first be accepted as a Ranger by completing the application process and that duties as a Ranger takes priority over research projects.  This means that a research project will mean a great deal of additional work.  Please bear this in mind when writing your proposal.

General Guidleines

• No unnecessary pain or stress caused to the turtles.
• A complete proposal must be produced before the research begins. This should include a written document stating the aims, methods, equipment required, costs and benefits.
• Your research proposal and methodology must be approved by the project co-ordinator/director before you begin.
• You must ensure other members of the SOS Tartarugas team understand your project/research Although members of the team may be able to assist with data collection or other aspects, this cannot be guaranteed.  You are entirely responsible for the fieldwork.  Involvement of other people must be approved by the project coordinator.  If other members of the team help you with your research it is your responsibility to train them.
• You are required to give updates periodically to ensure other team members are aware of preliminary results or changes to protocols.
• Equipment in Cape Verde is limited and basic, if you need any specialist equipment you will need to bring it with you.  However, before you buy anything, ask first, it may already be available.
• SOS Tartarugas will not contribute funding to your study unless agreed in advance.
• Data remains the property of SOS Tartarugas and can only be used during your time in the project.  Any copies of the data (electronic or printed) must be returned before you leave unless you have obtained specific approval.  Use of the data for any other purpose is not permitted.

Ongoing studies include:

1. Light pollution

The effects of light pollution on relocation strategies and misorientation of Loggerhead hatchlings.

Influence of moonlight on Loggerhead hatchlings misorientation.

2. Influence of moon phase and tide in nesting behavior in Loggerhead turtles. 

3. Physical and chemical factors affecting hatching success in loggerhead turtles and their importance in relocation strategies. 

4. Predation

Impact of ghost crab predation in Loggerhead turtles.

5. Sex determination

Analysis of data from temperature loggers

6. Relative hatching success 

Hatchery vs in situ vs trans situ

7. Impact of climate change

Impact of climate change on incubation and study on mitigation factors (shading, sprinklers, etc).

8. Inwater study

Analysis of turtle sightings made by fishermen and leisure boats.

Shark specialist needed

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.