Critically Endangered Marine Turtles Conservation

Location: Grenada: Hillsborough

Program Duration: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks

Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months

YWF-Kido Foundation at Kido Ecological Station

Sanctuary Carriacou Island, Grenada

Description

YWF-Kido Foundation, based at Kido Ecological Station in Carriacou Island, is looking for Research Assistants/Volunteers to participate in the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), Sea Turtle Monitoring and Tagging Programme.

Volunteers will actively participate in:

1. Monitoring and data-collection of 2 critically endangered Sea Turtle Species, Leatherback and Hawksbill, nesting on 3 different beaches on the Island; helping to reduce illegal poaching activities of turtles and eggs. (From March to September)
2. Rescue-Tag-Release operations of Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Green Turtles found in coastal waters. (March, April)

Duties: Night patrolling on foot in the North Park area, comprising 3 different beaches, from 7.30 pm to 5. 30 am, 5 nights a week.

- Working with local guides or research assistants, assisting with tagging post-nesting turtles, carapace measuring and other data collecting. e.g. nest marking, disguising nests against poaching activities, egg counting and mapping nest location
- Hatching monitoring and survival-rate data collection (Nest excavation)
- Daytime beach survey on foot, by kayak & bicycle.
- Domestic cleaning and cooking duties at Kido Station

Highlights

* Witnessing Leatherback and Hawksbill turtle nesting;
* Watching baby turtles hatching and running to the sea;
* Rescuing and releasing of captured turtles (Hawksbill & Green);
* Watching local wildlife (iguanas, land turtles, opossums, tropical land and marine birds);
* Snorkeling among coral reefs and fish;
* Exploring pristine sandy beaches and offshore islets.

Qualifications

No formal qualification is required. Volunteers should have a keen and genuine interest in conservation and ecology and have love and respect for all animals, wild and domestic.

Type of Programs
  • Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages
  • English

Cost in US$:

USD 15 per day

Cost Include Description:

The cost per volunteer is USD 15 per day for accommodation, cooking gas and electricity; for a minimum 30 days stay. For shorter periods a total of USD 450 is required. Food is purchased and cooked by volunteers. Any other expenses, such as in/out flights or other transportation costs are covered by the volunteers. Volunteers are expected to have their own travel insurance.

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types
  • Animal Welfare
  • Conservation
  • Eco-tourism
  • Environment
  • Natural Resources
  • Research
  • Marine Conservation
  • Volunteering
  • Wildlife Surveying
Typical Volunteer
Only vegetarians, non-smokers, non-alcohol drinkers and non-drug users accepted. Volunteers must be good swimmers, physically fit to use bicycles and walk long distances on soft, sandy beaches and nature trails, working in any weather conditions. Flexibility to adapt to changing schedules as required & able to adapt to work night-shifts and sleep during the day. Be willing to work under instructions as a team member. Volunteers has to keep tidy and clean their quarters at all times, all living spaces at Kido are communal.
Age Range
16 +
This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Apartment/Flat
  • Group living

Participants Travel to Grenada

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Letters of Reference
  • Other
  • Resume
  • Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time is
1 month
YWF-Kido Foundation at Kido Ecological Station's Mission Statement

The social and the environmental must now come together. Indeed, they should have never been apart. Working in partnership with local communities, youth groups and CBOs to establish the vital links between social & economic development and environmental protection. Working towards a balance in human resource development, community empowerment, environmental preservation and biodiversity conservation, through education, training and conservation activities.

Year Founded

1995

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