Volunteering for the Primate Habituation Programme
The Primate Habituation Programme, under Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas, takes on 2-3 volunteer field assistants every year to help with the gorilla and agile managbey habituation as well as other tasks including data entry and capacity-building of local staff. The advert below gives a general description of the work and is posted on Primate Jobs twice yearly. Enquiries at other times of year are welcome, but due to limited places, postings are only available at the times advertised.
Objective
To contribute to the habituation of two western gorilla groups and one agile mangabey group for the ecotourism Primate Habituation Programme (PHP). The PHP is under the direction of the Dzanga-Sangha Project (DSP, funded by WWF).
Location
Assistants (one gorilla and one mangabey) are based at Bai Hokou or Mongambe camp. Both camps are in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the Dzanga-Sangha Dense Forest Special Reserve, Central African Republic. In addition to western lowland gorillas and mangabeys, the region is exceptional both florally and faunally and renowned for its high mammal densities including forest elephants, chimpanzees, leopards, bongos, forest buffalos and various monkey and duiker species.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s or master’s level students seeking to gain experience in conservation biology, primatology and/or zoology are encouraged to apply. Opportunities to conduct small, independent thesis projects are available providing that studies can be carried out alongside habituation work and that research questions are in-line with the philosophies of the PHP and DSP. Previous field experience would be extremely valuable, though openings can be considered entry-level and a 'stepping stone' for someone who is serious about a career in conservation, field research and/or wildlife eco-tourism. Additionally, candidates are required to be motivated, responsible, flexible, mature and amicable, with an ability to work as part of a multi-national team. Knowledge of French is extremely useful, though a commitment to learn the local Bantu language, Sango, may suffice. Emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory (e.g., S.O.S. Insurance co.). Candidates are required to seek independent funding (to cover flight, short and long-term visa, food and email costs).
Duties
Responsibilities will primarily include contributing to the habituation of new gorilla groups or the mangabey group, and collecting data on their diet, behavior and ranging activities. Additional responsibilities may include conducting phenology, participating in large mammal surveys, and data entry. Field conditions are very remote, with limited access to modern conveniences ('running water' is a nearby waterfall and solar electricity, intermittent), fresh foods and health care. The candidate must be physically fit and may be required to work long hours in the dense forest under challenging conditions. Accommodation is tent-based. Communication with home countries is limited to email via satellite phone (though internet at the Project's headquarters is available). Daily contact with potentially dangerous animals such as elephants, gorillas, forest buffaloes and venomous snakes can be expected.
Applications
Send letter of interest, CV and 2 reference letters to phpapplications@yahoo.com