Critically Endangered Marine Turtles Conservation

  Grenada

• Other Cities in Grenada: 
St. David

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: March 15st 2010 - August 31st 2010

Description: YWF-Kido Foundation, based at Kido Ecological Research Station (KERS) 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 5 different beaches on the Island; helping to reduce illegal poaching activities of turtles and eggs. (From March to August)
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 5 different beaches, from 8pm to 5am, 5 nights a week.

- Working with local guides, 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
- Hatchling monitoring and survival-rate data collection (Nest excavation)
- Daytime beach survey by motorboat and kayak
- 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; 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 be animal lovers. Volunteers must be good swimmers, physically fit to walk long distances on soft, sandy beaches and nature trails, working in all weather conditions.

Cost in US$: USD 15 per day

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Be flexible to adapt to changing schedules as required & able to adapt to work nights and sleep days. Be willing to work under instruction as a member of a team and help with domestic cleaning and cooking duties at Kido Station. Kido is a non-smoking, alcohol and drug-free zone.

Age Range: 16 +

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

Participants Travel to Grenada Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of minimum 2

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

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