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Dolphin research courses in Sardinia, Italy

country:Italy
location:Sardinia 
departures:2009: 19 Oct
price:From €500 (6 days) - €1350 (13 days) excluding flights. Discount for students. We can offer advice on flights from the UK. Please see below for further price information
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
We invite you to be part of our company while playing a part in the conservation and research of dolphins and their environment. Sardinia is a marine biologist's paradise and the dolphin behaviour you will witness is unsurpassed. Our intensive educational courses provide experience in specialised non-invasive dolphin research techniques (dolphins photo-identification, behaviour and bioacoustics), consisting of field sessions and lectures. No background knowledge of biology is required, we ask only for you willing to learn about the dolphins and their marine environment.

These field courses give an insight into the workings of a research team, and provide experience in a wide range of areas including scientific data collection, analysis and presentation and much more. Our field courses provide invaluable exposure to boat based field work, training and mentoring in dolphins research and encouragement to work hard, have fun, and learn from the dolphins and each other. Students will actively participate in data collection and analyses as part of an ongoing research.
course details
Our dolphin research courses are designed for interested people who are seeking thorough training in approaches to the study of wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). It is open to anyone age 18 and above, with no special prerequisites concerning marine mammals research experience. No background knowledge of cetaceans is required, we ask only for you willing to learn about the dolphins and their marine environment.

These intensive educational courses, six or thirteen days long, provide experience in specialized research techniques as photo-identification, bioacoustics and behavioural sampling. A research course consists of field sessions and lectures. The courses will last 6 or 13 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during 4 or 8 of these days respectively.

Dolphin research courses can be used for academic or vocational purposes, but students are solely responsible for making all arrangements for receiving relevant credit(s) as a result of completing the training course. Learning, at its best, should be an active process, one in which the students are challenged on a daily basis with responsibilities that play a large part in the outcome of the research projects.

Field methods in the wild: A general training course for motivated individuals, who are seeking thorough training in approaches to the study of free ranging wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Photo-Identification & Social structure: This training course is designed for marine science students, biologist and more interested people who seek a broad view of the photo-identification techniques and study of wild bottlenose dolphins societies.

Bottlenose dolphins behaviour: An intensive research course designed to familiarize individuals with the application of behavioural sampling methods for the study of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) behaviour in the wild.

Bioacoustics of bottlenose dolphins: This course is designed for students, biologist and more interested people who seek a broad and balanced view of the study of bottlenose dolphin communication in the wild.
price details
Days 613
Price €500 - €700€950 - €1350
Flights are excluded but we can offer advice on flights from the UK. The costs include accommodation in an apartment, dolphin research training, lectures, certificate of attendance, printed material and all associated field and lab costs.

The apartment has a full kitchen (gas and electricity also included) and a full set of cooking utensils. Food is available at the local supermarkets within walking distance at your own expense.
how this holiday makes a difference
Environment:
We concentrate our efforts on dolphins’ research because they are predators at the top of their food chain, so their well-being provides an excellent indication of the health of the entire ecosystem on which they, and we, depend. By increasing our knowledge about dolphins and their environment, our researchers will be in a strong position to protect the animals from threats caused by humans.

Using study techniques that neither harm nor seriously disturb the animals, the researchers are engaged in the conduction of a long term study about bottlenose dolphins, as well as collecting detailed information about their environment. We are partner to ACCOBAMS, the UNEP's Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area.

If the results of our research projects to date (with over 80 scientific publications and thesis that substantially increase present understanding of dolphins) are any indication, then projects in progress should be very productive, both in terms of our own enlightenment about the life of these free-ranging dolphins and in producing information bearing directly on the conservation and management of this dolphin species and others.

As a marine science research team, our researchers have witnessed first hand the effects global warming and climate change have on our planet. Our researchers are committed to the implementation of proactive measures to help protect and sustain the local and global environment for future generations. We aim to achieve the objective of improved environmental performance through pollution prevention and continuous improvement.

  • We seek to conserve natural resources by ensuring the responsible use of energy, water and materials by the continual implementation of the 3R's (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle).
  • We know the importance of reduce the energy consumption derived of the use of polluting fossil fuels, promoting the use of renewable energy. In order to reduce noise and air pollution derived of the use of our research boats, we are supporting renewable energy through the equipment of our principal research vessel with solar panel.
  • To neutralise cruise related greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, we will calculate the amount of carbon emitted by each research cruise itinerary it offers then divides that by the number of volunteers cruising each year. In turn, when a volunteer participates in our project, we contribute a portion of the volunteering fee to buy solar panels to produce renewable energy and reduce the air pollution associated with electricity production during our research. Furthermore, our campaign has no effect on the price of its volunteering opportunities in any way. In other words, the cost of the campaign is not passed onto the volunteer.
  • We will continue to take steps to minimise any detrimental impacts on the environment caused by the operation of their researchers and volunteers. We aim specifically to minimise the adverse environmental impacts associated with effluent discharge, water use, emissions to both air and water, and waste generation through best available techniques as they emerge in order to prevent pollution and also to maintain water quality.

    Community:
    Unlike many other research teams our volunteering program offers a wide spectrum of educational tools that go beyond the "average research period". Our goal is to have each volunteer depart our centre with a greater understanding and appreciation of the marine environment and the wealth of life it supports.

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