Humpback whale conservation holiday, Brazil
| country: | Brazil |
| departures: | Volunteer positions are only available during the whale season which is from 15 Jul to 15 Oct. |
| price: | From £900 (2 weeks) - £1335 (4 weeks) excluding flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
With the option to join for 2 to 4 weeks, you will spend much of your time out on the sea (weather permitting) where you will be observing whales, collecting data on their behaviour, bio-acoustic monitoring and developing the picture identification library. Volunteers also assist in the fields of environmental education and office based administrative tasks, including the entering of new data.
No special skills are required but volunteers must be interested in cetaceans and environmental / marine conservation. All volunteers will be given an introductory presentation on humpback whales, and further detail about the research projects. All necessary boat / research training is also given.
The project is located at Praia do Forte, a charming former fishing village about 50 miles north of Salvador on the Northern coast of Brazil. Here you find some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, for this reason the region is nicknamed the “Brazilian Polynesia”. Volunteers will stay in the nearby Youth Hostel. Accommodation will be dormitory style (3/4 per room) with private bathrooms, hot water, electricity.
Research / data collection: You will assist in all aspects of the data collection which includes collecting information on whale behaviour, picture identification, collecting biopsies and bio-acoustic monitoring. Through photo-identification - a technique consisting of obtaining and cataloguing pictures of the ventral surface of the whales` tails – we have already identified more than 500 individuals.
Environmental education: You will be involved with environmental information and education - with the local communities and visitors alike – through receiving school groups, visits to schools and other social programs, sometimes theatre presentations, assisting in the visitor centre or other activities planned.
Whale watching cruises: Helping out by educating people about the need for whale research and conservation through the talks given to tourists before the cruises and while onboard the tourist vessels.
Beached / sick whales: In the event that there is a beached or an ill whale, volunteers will be expected to help out.
Administration: You will also get a feel for the work that goes on in the Project offices, and assist in general data entry duties / new ideas for fundraising / marketing.
No special skills are required but volunteers must be interested in cetaceans and environmental / marine conservation. All volunteers will be given an introductory presentation on humpback whales, and further detail about the research projects. All necessary boat / research training is also given.
The project is located at Praia do Forte, a charming former fishing village about 50 miles north of Salvador on the Northern coast of Brazil. Here you find some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, for this reason the region is nicknamed the “Brazilian Polynesia”. Volunteers will stay in the nearby Youth Hostel. Accommodation will be dormitory style (3/4 per room) with private bathrooms, hot water, electricity.
a day in the life of a volunteer
Volunteer work is split into a number of different categories: Research / data collection: You will assist in all aspects of the data collection which includes collecting information on whale behaviour, picture identification, collecting biopsies and bio-acoustic monitoring. Through photo-identification - a technique consisting of obtaining and cataloguing pictures of the ventral surface of the whales` tails – we have already identified more than 500 individuals.
Environmental education: You will be involved with environmental information and education - with the local communities and visitors alike – through receiving school groups, visits to schools and other social programs, sometimes theatre presentations, assisting in the visitor centre or other activities planned.
Whale watching cruises: Helping out by educating people about the need for whale research and conservation through the talks given to tourists before the cruises and while onboard the tourist vessels.
Beached / sick whales: In the event that there is a beached or an ill whale, volunteers will be expected to help out.
Administration: You will also get a feel for the work that goes on in the Project offices, and assist in general data entry duties / new ideas for fundraising / marketing.
volunteer travel - what's it all about?
Are you are looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world. Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Over the years wanton slaughter has drastically reduced almost all whale populations of the planet. Humpback whales, which numbered 150,000 strong before commercial whaling began, may have only some 25,000 individuals remaining today in all the oceans. They are on the Brazilian List of Endangered Species published by IBAMA (the National Environmental Authority). This project aims to combine humpback whale conservation and research with environmental education in order to protect and educate the local community about this magnificent mammal.
Volunteers contribute to the local community by staying at a locally owned and run hostel. Where possible we will always use local operators and facilities to ensure that our volunteers make a positive contribution to the area where they are working. The contributions and support that volunteers give enable this project to continue in it’s protection of the Humpback Whale. With the exception of the overheads needed for our regional offices all contributions made by volunteers go directly to the funding of the project. By participating in this vital conservation program you will be able to have a direct influence in the future of the Humpback Whale and immerse yourself in Brazilian culture. |
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