Hiring Organization:
Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, a cooperative program of Drexel University (Philadelphia, USA) and the National University of Equatorial Guinea (Equatorial Guinea, Central/West Africa)
Date Posted:
2010-07-10
Position Description:
Volunteer Research Assistant (total of 10 needed) on an annual 3 week expedition (~January 5 – 25, 2010) to survey primate populations in Bioko Island's remote Gran Caldera de Luba.
A recent expedition (January 2008) was the subject of a 22 page feature article in the August 2008 issue of National Geographic magazine. That’s your best introduction to where you will be going and what you will be doing. However, here’s some background:
Bioko Island has 7 endemic monkey species including two of Africa's most threatened, the drill and Pennant’s red colobus. All seven are found in the pristine Gran Caldera de Luba, a spectacular naturally protected volcanic crater on the southwestern coast of Bioko Island. This area is accessible only in the dry season (December through February), and then only by boat and a 2-day up-river hike. The Gran Caldera consists of undisturbed tropical monsoon forest; it was rarely visited in the past, and recently (last 10 years) our expedition has provided just about the only visitors.
This expedition, with a total of 20 scientists and volunteers, typically spends 2 weeks camped in the Caldera to complete the census, plus additional time counting the four species of nesting sea turtles (mostly leatherbacks and green turtles, each species with hundreds of nests) that visit the adjacent black sand beaches. Primate group encounter rate is very high (up to 3 groups/km on some trails). The expedition also includes local participants from the national university (UNGE) and from the isolated Bubi village of Ureca. The work is conducted in English, but the official language of Equatorial Guinea is Spanish.
Qualifications/Experience:
Research Assistants must be physically fit and willing to endure primitive work conditions. In addition to a commitment to biodiversity preservation, a sense of humor and knowledge of Spanish is helpful. Students must be at least sophomore level in their home university. Adult volunteers must be over the age of 21. A few of our volunteers have been in their 70’s, but most are considerably younger.
Salary/funding:
The cost of participation is $3000, which covers on-island expenses: housing and almost all meals in the capital city of Malabo; transport including boats, trucks, and porters; field facilities including tents, food and equipment. Extensive pre-trip on-line materials and on-site training in field techniques are provided. Academic credit is available through Drexel University, but at an extra charge. University students who come on this expedition usually arrange for credit (independent study) through their home university.
Participants are expected to provide their own air transport and medical evacuation insurance. Cheap air tickets (~ $1900 RT from East/Central North America to Malabo, EG) are disappearing faster than in previous years so we advise acting promptly.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
No additional financial support is available from BBPP, but undergraduate students are often able to get financial assistance from their home universities.
Term of Appointment:
4 January 2011 - 25 January 2011
Application Deadline:
15 October 2011
Comments:
See the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program Website (www.bioko.org) for details and an on-line application form.
Applications arriving after the deadline are sometimes successful if we have last minute cancellations. (It's always worth a try!)
Contact Information:
Gail W. Hearn
3141 Chestnut St., #5-118
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104
USA
Telephone Number:
215 895 1476
Fax Number:
215 895 1273
Website:
http://www.bioko.org
E-mail Address:
gwh26@drexel.edu