Wild Dolphin Research Mozambique

  Mozambique

Maputo

Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 4 weeks

Description: The Dolphin program is designed for those whom would like to gain experience in the field of marine research and tourism. There are three components to the project. Get In-Volved Volunteer Program, The Intern Program and the Project Co-Ordination Program.

Our vision is to promote sustainable dolphin tourism and this is achieved through conserving our natural resources, first and foremost the dolphins that are resident to the area. The most valuable way we can contribute to the dolphins is in data collection, this is done both in the field i.e.: by boat when facilitating eco-dolphin swims and on land. Daily sightings have been kept for the last decade and as we have learned from the dolphins so we have learned from our research and so the work load of the data collection grows.

We act as a bridge between the scientific community and conservation with all our data being forwarded to the Natural History Museum in Maputo, Mozambique. It is under the guidance of Dr Almeida Guissamulo that we have been able to collect and correlate data captured over the last years with positive results. Bearing in mind that both prior and during the war no scientific studies were undertaken and it is our responsibility to encourage sustainable tourism through bridging the gap with science and tourism.

The organization was formed in 1998 after the members committed themselves to the preservation of the local population of resident dolphins in the area. We have for the last number of years been actively involved in sustaining our coastal environment and work includes amongst others turtle monitoring in conjunction with WWF Mozambique.

The Get-Involved program has been designed to generate further income for the dolphin project. Generated funds contribute towards the employment of a resident marine mammal researcher as well as equipment purchase like computers & cameras. The program is more of an extended stay with the dolphins and incorporates not only the dolphins and marine environment, but also the experience of the rustic Robinson Crusoe Dolphin BeachCamp in Ponta do Ouro, Southern Mozambique.

The program caters for those wanting field experience, tourism experience or simply a bit of a sabbatical or career break. Catering for ages from 18 on-wards.

About the Program
Participants stay on site where they are expected to Get-Involve with the daily running of the facility as well as the tedium of research which includes both water (dolphin eco-swims and data collection) and land based work (data capturing, equipment maintenance).

Life at the Dolphin Beachcamp is laid back and relaxing - however there are many jobs to be done in order to ensure a smooth running operation, both on the commercial tourism side and on the research and conservation side.

As tourism is quite seasonal in the area, there are times that one is offered much down time - however when in the full swing of things during peak periods one can expect to work long, hot hours with much dolphin and people interaction.

The Program takes a maximum of 2 participants at any given stage with the minimum of a 4 week stay and generally starts at the beginning of each month. Participants will share the daily routine with jobs designated per time period, working an average of 8-10 hour shifts with one and ½ off days per week.

Highlights: Dolphins, whales and people!

Qualifications: Desired Skills
Fluent in English - Portuguese a bonus. Computer literate, good people skill, willingness to work as a team. Not scared to work. Good physical health.

Cost in US$: $2320

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A day in the Life at Dolphin A Get IN-Volved participant can expect the following routine in peak periods.... early to rise (04h30 summer, 05h30 winter) prepare tea station for guests check hot water/cleanliness of ablutions dolphin watch - land based prior to launches dolphin launch - assist with spotting,data collection & swim facilitation. brunch layout - serving, dining with guests & clearing reception duty and data capture dolphin watch - land based observation snorkeling duty (assist guests getting familiar with their snorkeling) arts and crafts (assist in making pretty - painting, making shell hangings, building etc), dolphin bar and snack shack duty presentation time assist with dinner layout, serving and dining with guests, clearing dolphin bar till Low seasons ensures lots of time for surfing, kiting or just plain old relaxing! Generally our season time includes Ponta weekends which are Thursdays to Sundays. Peak periods are March - April - September - December - January.

Age Range: 21 onwards

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 Mozambique Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of upto 6

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Dolphin Care's Mission Statement: A vision without a task is but a dream, a task without a vision is a drudgery; a vision and a task are the hope of the world. Our vision is to promote sustainable eco-tourism and this is achieved through conserving our natural resources, first and foremost the dolphins that are resident to the area. The most valuable way we can contribute to them is through their protection. It is our hope that future generations will be able to experience dolphins in the wild.

Year Founded: 1998