Macaws and Wildlife of the Peruvian Amazon

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco
• Lima: 
Lima
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Puerto Maldonado

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Ongoing

Description: Our research project looks for volunteers to fill a range of tasks, from data entry, to walking the jungle looking for hidden macaws. Most training starts with a general orientation and about 2 weeks monitoring clay licks. After that, once macaws and parrots can be identified by the volunteer, then monitoring is done from the towers on group size and flight directions. The monitoring of artificial nests is done in the afternoon. Marked trees are checked for fruit and flowers.

Okay that is the work. Fun - pizza nights in Puerto Maldonado, spotting endangered wildlife like jaguars, giant otters, puma, tapir, peccary, bushmasters and boas. The lodges where the research is based are comfortable and full of friendly guides and staff. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to conservation and research, learn a ton about the rainforest in a safe and friendly environment, where you can still have contact with the outside world via Internet!

Highlights: If you are interested in wildlife, this is the project for you. All the lodges are located in pristine jungle environments, with monkeys and macaws literally on your doorstep. Harpy eagles and blue-headed macaws are amongst the endangered birds found here, while jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi are some of the cats that are seen (with a bit of patience and effort). Tapir, peccaries, deer, capybara and a host of more vegetarian wildlife are common. If you are a herpetologist, again, a haven. The largest macaw and parrot clay licks in the world are found along the Tambopata River.

Posada Amazonas is one of the lodges where researchers are based. This lodge is half shared by the native community of Infierno, and is rated as one of the top 10 in South America, having won prizes for its business and conservation model.

The world's largest and one of the most endangered otters is found in the oxbow lakes of the region, where piranha and black caiman also thrive. The brave, however, still swim!

See the lapuna tree... one of the largest in the world.

The list of attractions is a long one.

Qualifications: No academic qualifications. However, we like volunteers to be friendly, patient with the sometimes difficult working environment, and to stay as long as possible.

Cost in US$: 10 USD a day contribution to food and accommodation

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Most volunteers are of university student age, with an interest in wildlife, conservation or the outdoors. However, we do have more mature applicants and a range of people merely interested in experiencing the jungle and making a difference.

Age Range: 16-85

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of up to 4

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Tambopata Macaw Project's Mission Statement: The Tambopata Macaw Project was founded with the goal of studying the ecology and natural history of large macaws so that this information could be used to help protect them in their fight for survival against hunter and loggers. We are based out of 3 comfortable rainforest lodges (that even have limited electricity and internet access) with easy access to the local town of Puerto Maldonado. The project is lead by D.Brightmith of Texas A&M university, and managed by A.Lee of Manchester Metropolitan University. Field leader include researchers from various Peruvian universities. Volunteers help with a range of monitoring tasks... watching macaws at the fabulous claylicks, counting flocks of parakeets from observation towers, monitoring artificial nests and the fruiting status of marked trees. We look forward to having you join us!

Year Founded: 1990