Amazon Riverboat Exploration

  Peru

• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Iquitos

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 2008: Mar 26 - Apr 9, Apr 16 - Apr 30, Jun 3 - Jun 18, Jul 4 - Jul 19, Aug 27 - Sep 10, Sep 14 - Sep 28, Dec 4 - Dec 18

Description: Research Mission
Help conserve and protect Amazon dolphins, giant river otters, monkeys, turtles, fish, giant river otters, and macaws and other birds.

Situation Report
Lago Preto, Yavari River and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Samaria River, Loreto, Peru --The vast, relatively untouched Amazonian forests of northeastern Peru harbor an incredible diversity of wildlife. River dolphins and caimans still swim the rivers, while extraordinary birds fly through the canopy. Uakari monkeys abound in Lago Preto and manatees swim in the lakes of Samiria. Rare giant river otters occasionally can be seen cavorting along lakes and rivers. In this remote and isolated region of the Amazon, scientists Dr. Richard Bodmer, Pablo Puertas, and Tula Fang are doing a comprehensive survey of the area's biodiversity to develop sustainable conservation strategies for the region and the people who inhabit it. Illegal timber companies, pet traders, and hunters have decimated wildlife in other areas of the Amazon, lending urgency to the conservation of this near-pristine area.

Meals and Accommodations
The Ayapua is a recently restored 33-meter three-deck boat, with eight double cabins, one single cabin, and one triple cabin. Each cabin is air-conditioned and has an en suite bathroom with shower. After mornings and afternoons in the field, you will be treated to an array of local delicacies as well as familiar offerings like roast beef and freshly-caught fish, in the air-conditioned dining room. Mid-morning coffee and afternoon tea (and cakes), are served daily, and beverages are available at the bar on the upper deck

Highlights: On the Expedition
From the Ayapua, a vintage boat from the Amazon's rubber boom period, you will work with a team of skilled Peruvian biologists to collect information about the wildlife populations in one of two river areas, Lago Preto or the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, depending on the season. Volunteers rotate between aquatic surveys for dolphins, manatees, giant river otters, fish, and river turtles from motorized canoes. You will also count macaws and conduct land surveys of peccaries, tapirs, deer, monkeys, and game birds. At night, you will do spotlight surveys for caimans. With expedition staff, you will meet and talk to local people about their fishing, hunting, and conservation efforts, and practice some Spanish. In your time off, you can peruse the well-stocked library, enjoy a selection of Amazon-themed films on movie nights, or simply relax with a glass of wine on deck in one of the Earth's greatest wild places.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: $4,746

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18 - 90

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Fellowships may be available, mainly for high-school students and educators. Visit our website for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. Hundreds of expedition teams can use your help in 48 countries and 16 U.S. states this year.

Year Founded: 1971