Thursday, November 24, 2011
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.
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.
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.
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)
We require Wildlife Rangers from the beginning of June until
mid-December. The minimum period
is two months but we are looking for several people who can commit for the
entire season. Wildlife Rangers
are responsible for protecting nesting loggerhead turtles, their eggs and the
nesting beaches. Duties will
include night patrols to deter hunters, tagging and measuring turtles and
collecting data and day patrols to relocate nests to the hatchery. Following the end of the nesting season
Rangers will be responsible for monitoring nests and releasing hatchlings. You may be asked to perform other
duties such as working in the hatchery, guiding visitors on nighttime walks as
well as participating in outreach activities with schools and other groups. You may also participate in or develop
research projects. This is an opportunity to be part of a new and expanding
project that is achieving excellent results and with your contribution will
continue to evolve. It will not
only provide you with good experience of turtle conservation techniques but also
give you the opportunity to make a real difference to the survival of marine
turtles. Rangers have been directly responsible for saving numerous nesting
turtles and hatchlings and experience a high level of satisfaction from being
able to rapidly affect the declining situation in Cabo Verde. Rangers are based in Santa Maria but
spend varying periods at the field camp in basic conditions. Please note that only
water and basic foods are provided in the camps (see section about the camp for
more information).
We need
motivated, committed and flexible individuals with a strong desire to make a
difference. Previous experience on
turtle projects is not necessary but priority will be given to those with
relevant experience and who wish to develop a career in conservation work.
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.
We patrol in pairs and are sometimes supported
by the military but you will encounter hunters on the beach even if soldiers
are present. You should be
sure that you are mentally strong and calm enough to accept this.
Requirements
for 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 are
particularly 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: Shared
accommodation in surf hotel, Turtle House (www.surfactivitiy.it) is provided. A monthly food allowance of €100 per
month may be offered depending on experience or length of commitment. 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. Your allowance may be increased if you take on additional
responsibilities (such as training, maintenance of equipment, data entry,
liaison with volunteers and outreach activities) or show initiative that
results in improvements in and development of the project. Expenses incurred on behalf of the
project will be reimbursed but no other costs will be paid.
Timing : We require Wildlife Rangers from the
beginning of June until mid-December and prefer candidates who can commit to two
months or longer. Start dates
relate to training sessions and are as follows:
Week
commencing 04 June/25 June/16 July/6 August/03 September. We have open start dates in September,
October and November.
Tourism Manager
You are
responsible for the development and delivery of all our activities with
visitors. These will include, but
are not limited to, leading night-time visits to nesting beaches, presentations
at hotels, hatchling releases, kid’s clubs and daily presentations at the
hatchery and the maintenance of relationships with businesses on Sal. You will be responsible for managing
our turtle adoption scheme and selling merchandise to support the project. You will be responsible for our shop in
Santa Maria. You are responsible
for the management of two Tourism Rangers. You will also be required to do
occasional beach patrols with the other Rangers so that you can fully
understand the project goals and methods.
This job is a mixture of daytime and nighttime shifts.
Previous
experience with turtles is an advantage but is not necessary, as full training
will be given. However, you need
to have a strong desire to work in a conservation project and be able to
communicate the project’s goals as well as having a belief in environmentally
conscious living. Your job
is to represent the project and you should be confident and outgoing. Previous experience in a sales or
customer service environment is an advantage. You should be comfortable talking to large groups as well as
individuals and recognize that contact with turtles is often a life changing
experience for visitors. A large
part of your job is making that experience the best that it can be. You must be fluent in English and
either Portuguese, Italian or German. You must be trustworthy, financially
astute, organized and have computer skills.
As we are
only in our fourth season there are many areas where expansion of our programme
is possible. You have the
opportunity to fine tune our current activities and add new ones.
Requirements
for 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 living
allowance of €100 a month plus an incentive scheme based on financial and
performance targets. Expenses
incurred on behalf of the project will be reimbursed but no other costs will be
paid.
Timing : Start
date week commencing 4 June to mid December. We prefer candidates who can
commit to the entire season.
Tourism Ranger (x2)
Reporting to
the Tourism Manager you will be involved in all our activities with
visitors. These will include, but
are not limited to, leading night-time visits to nesting beaches, hatchling
releases, kid’s clubs and daily presentations at the hatchery. You will be promoting our Adopt a
Turtle scheme and selling merchandise to support the project. You will also be required to do
occasional beach patrols with the other Rangers so that you can fully
understand the project goals and methods.
This job is a mixture of daytime and nighttime shifts. Please consider that you will be accompanying
people on turtle walks six nights out of seven for as long as 14 weeks, sometimes
without seeing a turtle. You need
to be outgoing, resilient and cheerful to fulfill this job.
Previous
experience with turtles is an advantage but is not necessary, as full training
will be given. However, you need
to have a strong desire to work in a conservation project and be able to
communicate the project’s goals as well as having a belief in environmentally
conscious living. Your job
is to represent the project and you should be confident and outgoing. Previous experience in a sales or customer
service environment is an advantage.
You should be comfortable talking to large groups as well as individuals
and recognize that contact with turtles is often a life changing experience for
visitors. A large part of your job
is 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.
Requirements
for 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 living
allowance of €100 a month. 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. Your allowance may be increased if you take on additional
responsibilities or show initiative that results in improvements in and
development of the project.
Expenses incurred on behalf of the project will be reimbursed but no other
costs will be paid.
Timing : From mid June to mid December. We
prefer candidates who can commit to the entire season but will consider shorter
periods. Start dates 20 June/8 August/5 Sept.
Camp Coordinator (Full time – minimum commitment four months)
The camp coordinator performs the same duties as Wildlife Rangers
but also manages the field camps that are planned for Serra Negra & Mont
Leão. The camp coordinator must
have experience of running remote field camps and preferably have at least three months of
experience with nesting turtles.
The camp
coordinator 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 and
rangers
·
Implementation of project protocol relating
to data collection, working with the turtles, nest relocation, monitoring of
nests, operation of hatchery
·
Camp logistics (transportation, food, water)
·
Health, safety and well being of volunteers
and rangers including hygiene of the camp
·
Collation of data
·
Coordination with other aspects of the
project
Requirements
for 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: During
rest days and days in Santa Maria shared accommodation in surf hotel, Turtle
House (www.surfactivitiy.it) is
provided as well as a monthly food allowance of €100 per month. Your allowance
may be increased if you take on additional responsibilities or show initiative
that results in improvements in and development of the project. 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. Expenses incurred on behalf
of the project will be reimbursed but no other costs will be paid.
Timing : 26 June
to mid October but shorter periods may be considered.
Educação e Comunicação
Nas últimas quatro temporadas foram
estabelecidas patrulhas nas praias para deter os caçadores, em 2011
estabelecemos uma forte campanha para sensibilizar as crianças e demais
residentes, associações e empresas para a necessidade de proteger as tartarugas
marinhas. A população do Sal é extremamente diversa e abrange inúmeras
nacionalidades sendo que algumas têm uma concepção errada sobre o nosso
trabalho. A participação dos residentes em actividades de cariz ambiental é
muito reduzida. O maior objectivo deste trabalho é sensibilizar a comunidade
para a conservação das tartarugas, aumentar a participação da população e
divulgar o trabalho da organização.
Reportando ao Director de Educação e Comunicação,
a pessoa que ocupar esta vaga será responsável por implementar programas
educativos nas escolas, criar eventos com outras organizações, workshops para
pescadores e gerir outros eventos, tais como “acampamentos das tartarugas”,
quer na ilha do Sal quer nas outras ilhas.
Experiência de trabalho com tartarugas é um
factor de vantagem mas não é obrigatório para ocupar esta vaga, uma vez que será
dada formação sobre o tema. Contudo, é importante ter uma grande vontade de
trabalhar num projecto de conservação, ter boa capacidade de comunicação para
transmitir os objectivos da organização e ter consciência ambiental. A pessoa que ocupar esta
vaga 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 experiência
em educação ambiental (particularmente com crianças).
É requisito obrigatório falar fluentemente
português ou crioulo e compreender inglês.
Esta posição é uma mistura de trabalho diurno
e nocturno. É uma posição desafiante mas terás a oportunidade para mudar a
percepção da comunidade sobre a conservação das tartarugas e envolvê-la no
projecto.
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 projecto
mas nenhum outro custo será suportado pela organização.
Duração : Contrato anual a partir de Fevereiro 2012.
Volunteers (Minimum commitment one week)
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, but 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.
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.
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 are
particularly 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: Volunteers
pay €100 per week to cover accommodation, water & 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.
Apply here.
Apply here.
Working with turtles as part of your holiday
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 or afternoon patrols to assist with relocations of nests
- Working in the hatchery and helping with hatchling releases
- Helping with educational / outreach activities
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). Please email info@sostartarugas.org for more information.
FAQs
Will
I be trained to work with turtles?
Yes, full training will be given and will be ongoing throughout the
season. For short-term volunteers
training will be more hands on and less theoretical.
In
what way will this work further my career? The experience you will gain is only
limited by your willingness to become involved. The project is multifaceted and not only would you learn
about working with nesting loggerhead turtles but you could also become
involved in research projects, work with tourists, manage data, make
presentations, work with communities and with children, and possibly gain
experience of managing others. You
will have experienced a new culture and will have demonstrated that you can
work hard and have the ability to cope under physically difficult conditions.
Research projects
If you are a student and wish to complete a research project as
part of your studies, we have several ongoing studies that may be
suitable. We can also collaborate
on the development of new studies that make a contribution to the
conservation of loggerhead turtles in Cabo Verde. Research projects are undertaken in addition to duties as a
Ranger. If this is of interest
please complete the application form for a Wildlife Ranger position and
complete the section regarding research projects.
Can
I apply for shorter periods than those stated? Yes, for exceptional candidates dates
can be flexible. Living allowances for Rangers are only offered if you make a
minimum commitment of two months.
Will
I be reimbursed for flights and other expenses? No, only benefits stated above will be
paid. There are opportunities to
increase your living allowance by taking on extra responsibility.
Do
I need a visa? Yes, you should
obtain a tourist visa suitable for your length of stay from your own country
prior to arrival in Cabo Verde. We
can supply a letter supporting visa applications but cannot assist in any other
way.
As
a Wildlife Rangers will my living allowance cover all my expenses? The price of food and other items is
high due to import taxes, you should bring extra money to cover unforeseen
costs. In previous years Rangers
cooked communally dinner on a budget of €10 per person per week, other
meals are prepared individually.
What
is the weather like?
Generally weather in Sal is warm and pleasant, (August and September are
the hottest months) with strong sea breezes. Usually small amounts of rain fall in August, September and
October. Warm clothes are needed
towards the end of the season.
What
are medical facilities like?
There is a government run hospital which is basic and a private clinic
which is expensive. Most medicines
are available, but you must arrange insurance that will cover repatriation in
an emergency. We will not be
responsible for medical expenses and will ask for proof of insurance. Cases of malaria are rare in Sal but
are sometimes seen on other islands.
What
is 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 developing
nation. You will not find the same
level of service and goods to which you may be accustomed. However, Santa Maria is a pleasant
place to live with low crime, a wide range of water sports, bars and
restaurants. The population on Sal
is a mix of European, African and Capeverdean. Those who come with a flexible and open attitude will enjoy
exploring a different culture and maximizing their time on a sunny island with
great water sports and good social life.
How
much leisure time will I have? During the
nesting season you will usually work six days/nights a week, although this may
vary depending on the needs of the project. On your day off you will probably
be too tired to do much but sleep and rest but people do find the time to dive,
sunbathe or sightsee.
What
is the accommodation like?
Turtle House is a surf hotel during the winter and has a range of rooms
and communal areas with an outdoor space with hammocks. It is very close to the beach. All rooms are en suite with either two
or three beds (single sex sharing).
Cooking and eating areas are communal. You are responsible for keeping your room and the communal
areas clean. We recommend you
visit the website www.surfactivity.it.
About
the field camps
Two field camps are planned, one at Serra Negra and one at Mont
Leão, the only Marine Protected Zone (MPZ) in Cape Verde. In 2011 Serra Negra had the highest
density of turtles on Sal - it is therefore the best opportunity to work with
turtles and is also where the majority of training will take place. Mont Leão has a lower nesting density
but has a high mortality rate and therefore is a critical area for
protection. Both beaches are only
20 minutes drive from Santa Maria but are quiet and infrequently visited. By participating in these camps you
will make a very real difference to the survival of nesting turtles on
Sal. You will stay on the beach in
groups of three or four living in tents, for three to six nights and have one
day 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 the
day will have time to rest and swim and perform maintenance duties around the
camp (including beach cleaning).
There is a pit toilet and shaded areas but limited fresh water for
showering. Drinking water and
basic foodstuff is provided, including rice, pasta, sugar and tinned goods
but you will be responsible for bringing fresh food, bread and other items with
you. Facilities and comfort will
be limited so you should be sure that you are able to cope with these
conditions before you apply for this option. You will be advised what you need to bring if you are
offered a place.
What
is the best way to reach Sal?
You can reach Sal (SID) from many European, African and American
cities. Flights to Cabo Verde can
be expensive and it is sometimes best to look for flights with charter, rather
than scheduled airlines. One way
bargains can often be obtained close to the day of travel. We suggest that you try the following :
From Lisbon
TACV 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
From
Brussels www.jetairfly.com
From France
Excel http://www.xlairways.fr/
From Scandanavia http://www.tuiflynordic.dk
http://www.tuiflynordic.se http://www.tuiflynordic.fi,
http://www.tuiflynordic.no
From the USA
there are direct flights on TACV from Boston to Praia (the capital city) but it
is generally cheaper to fly via London or another European city.
Please bear
in mind that flight prices and charter flights are often cheaper as you get
closer to the departure date.
Can
my partner, friends or relatives visit me on the project? This must be arranged in advance. Please note that during their visit it
is unlikely that you will be able to take extra time off since we usually have
the minimum number of people we need. If your friends wish to stay in Turtle
House (subject to availability) they will be required to pay for accommodation
and will be expected to participate fully in the project.
Will
I have time to see any other islands?
We recommend
that you allow time at the end of your contract to visit other islands
or to relax before going home. If
you are accepted, the date that you have been given as your end date is the
date you will be expected to work until.
Any breaks in work (such as graduation ceremonies) must be notified
prior to the start of your contract.
How
can I find out more about SOS Tartarugas?
Please visit our website (www.turtlesos.org)
and blog (http://turtlesoscaboverde.blogspot.com/).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)