This project provides opportunities to work with an internationally recognised marine research not for profit organisation, founded in 1990, at their Plettenberg Bay Centre on the Indian Ocean coast. You will be monitoring the occurrence, movements and numbers of humpback and bottlenose dolphins, seabirds and other marine life depending on the specific research requirements at the time of your placement. The project also involves an element of educational programmes with local communities and schools. Ideally suited to biology students or researchers, this project also offers opportunities for mature volunteers with an interest in marine life and a passion for learning something new.
The Centre has run extensive mammal research programmes in Southern Africa and has published in many scientific journals and has affiliations with the Universities of Kwa Zulu Natal, Nelson Mandela Metroplitain and St Andrews in Scotland and The Central University of Florida in USA..The volunteer programme has helped them fund research since 2002 into dolphin, whale, seal and bird conservation. You will be part of a meaningful, internationally recognised reasearch and conservation programme.You will get hands-on experience in the everyday running of a research organisation. Volunteers gain exposure to a range of activities from the routine to state of the art fin-matching computer programme.
Your 4-week stay will enable you to receive a certificate in Marine Mammal Biology and Research. Each of the 11 modules will include lectures, practical workshops, collection and analysis of data. Participants will undergo a minor evaluated at the end of the course for certification.
The modules are as follows:
Module 1: Introduction to marine mammals – diversity and identification
Module 2: Evolution of marine mammals
Module 3: Marine mammal anatomy
Module 4: Marine mammal physiology
Module 5: Age and growth
Module 6: Diet and feeding
Module 7: Reproduction
Module 8: Behaviour and social biology
Module 9: Research techniques:
- animal identification, estimation and abundance
-boat-based surveys
-land-based surveys
Module 10: Strandings
Module 11: Threats and conservation
Those staying for longer than the minimum 4-weeks will use their newly acquired skills in ongoing student projects and data collection as well as assist with training.
On-going research projects involve monitoring the occurrence, movements, numbers and habitat of Bottlenose and Humpback Dolphin in the area.
Researching the population status and diet of the Cape Fur Seals. And land-based studies on the migratory routes of Humpback Whales and the daily movements of other cetaceans in the area. There are also opportunistic studies involving Killer and Southern Right Whales when they are visiting the bay.
Field-work studies are project and weather dependant. When not at sea or in the field there is plenty of office work and scientific data-capturing that is vital in the study of marine science.
Volunteers also have the opportunity to help out at the local Seabird Rehabilitation Centre when injured or oiled birds come in. While occasional whale, dolphin, seal and shark strandings provide valuable post-mortem information. Or YOU may get involved in educational activities promoting awareness and conservation in schools and communities.
