Volunteer Role
You will contribute directly to this effort by studying and monitoring local populations of coastal bottlenose dolphins with our research team. Typical tasks include:
- You will be trained to photo-identify individual dolphins
- Record data on the location and behaviour of local dolphin populations
- Observe other marine wildlife such as sea lions, sea turtles, Humbolt penguins, and marine otters.
The aim is to investigate dolphin populations - covering a coastal area stretching out about 250 kilometres southwards from Peru’s capital Lima to the Paracas National Reserve. The program’s goals are to identify the local groups and individual dolphins along the central Peruvian coast using photo-identification, and to set up a long-term monitoring program in order to identify trends of population development.
One of the ports used as an operational base during the initial phase of this dolphin research program is the fishermen’s port of Pucusana, which is located about 70 kilometres south of Lima in the centre of the investigation area. The second area to investigate is the Bay of Paracas in the northern limit of the Paracas National Reserve. As a Volunteer researcher you will work in both areas. During initial research, our researchers closely observed dolphins almost every day.
Dolphins often approach the research boats, and about 80 dolphins have already been successfully identified through photo-identification techniques. As the research requires investigators to follow dolphin schools in small and agile boats, you will have the unique opportunity to view dolphins and other wildlife close-up with a very small group of investigators.
You will form an integral part of our research team, daily leaving port at Pucusana on our research vessel to collect important information on the dolphin population’s distribution area, their behaviour and interactions.
What’s Included in the Programme
- All accommodation, inc. overnight hostel stay in Lima
- Breakfast every day, lunch only for days on board
- All project related transport
- Airport transfers
- A detailed orientation on arrival
- On-site support and access to 24 hr emergency assistance emergency
- Life jackets
- Waterproof marine rain gear to be worn on top of your regular clothing
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Extra activities over and above itinerary
- Dinner
- Extra snacks and alcoholic beverages
Prices and Durations
Peru Coastal Dolphin Research (18 days) $2,539
Peru Coastal Dolphin Research (1 month) $3,499
