Volunteer Turtle Conservation Assistant

THE TURTLE FOUNDATION

We are an international charitable organization. We are a dedicated volunteer effort and currently are operating our own important protection projects in Cape Verde and in Indonesia.

OUR VISION: A future where sea turtles and their habitats are sustainably protected, healthy, and safe from threat of extinction and destruction.

OUR MISSION: To contribute to sea turtle conservation at our own project sites by cooperating with local communities to create a future where both sea turtles and people can thrive.



GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TURTLE FOUNDATION CONSERVATION PROJECT IN CAPE VERDE

Are you looking to develop your experience in conservation? Would you like to be part of an international project which protects endangered species? If yes, then you can benefit from our project!

The Turtle Foundation is looking for both long-term and short-term volunteers to play an essential role in protecting nesting loggerhead turtles in Cape Verde during the nesting season - June until October 2022. It could provide you with key skills required to pursue a successful career in conservation and ecological biology, as well as an incredible life experience.

Our loggerhead sea turtle protection program on Boa Vista heavily relies on the commitment of international and Cape Verdean volunteers working in our field stations at the beaches. Anyone who is open-minded and enthusiastic about sea turtle conservation and fulfils some basic requirements is welcome to apply for volunteering in our project!

In addition to helping to save an endangered species from extinction, volunteering for sea turtle conservation provides unique, rewarding experiences that can change your life. Volunteering with us on Boa Vista is affordable and your contribution will fully benefit our conservation project.



DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties will include data collection and entry, tagging and measuring nesting turtles, analysing and identifying tracks, maintaining field equipment, relocating nests, studying hatchling success in-situ and in a hatchery and daily patrols during the night or early morning.

A typical shift lasts 4-5 hours, but this is dependant on the turtles, some shifts may take longer and you must be prepared to work up to 40 hours per week. Conditions can be challenging, please see our website (https://www.turtle-foundation.org/en/volunteering-and-jobs-cv-en/volunteering-cv/ ) and General information document (https://www.turtle-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/General-Information-2021.pdf?x81717 ) for further information.



INFO ON PAYMENT

Volunteers will have to pay for their travel costs to the project as well as a daily fee for food and lodging



REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of 18 years old

Commit to a minimum of 2 weeks for short-term volunteers or 8 weeks for long-term volunteers

Able to converse, receive and understand instructions given in English or Portuguese.

Good level of physical fitness and enjoy working outdoors - able to walk long distances on soft sand, work in all weather conditions.

Able to work in remote areas under extremely basic conditions.

Flexibility to adapt to changing schedules - working day or night

Have comprehensive travel insurance.

Most importantly - KEEP POSITIVE AND SMILING!

Read our General Information document carefully. Found here: https://www.turtle-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/General-Information-2021.pdf?x81717

The project is based in camps located on or close to nesting beaches where you would live in basic conditions alongside local Cape Verdeans and international volunteers. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn another language and experience other cultures whilst contributing to the conservation of this species.



If you are interested in getting involved, please contact volunteers@turtle-foundation.org and take a look at our website and social media!

Website https://www.turtle-foundation.org/en/volunteering-and-jobs-cv-en/volunteering-cv/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/turtlefoundation

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/turtle.foundation/

We hope to hear from you soon!