The principal researchers on Fauna Forever Tambopata are looking for environmentally aware, fit, adventurous and above all enthusiastic people from all walks of life from around the World to help us attain the Project's goals. This is a chance for you to participate in serious scientific research in one of the most beautiful and biodiverse corners of the Planet. Come and learn first-hand from resident experts the ecology and behaviour of rainforest wildlife (mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles), and the techniques used to identify and study them.
The project is not a tour, holiday or photographic safari, but a genuine scientific study placing ordinary people - some without any previous research experience - alongside scientists who are at the forefront of research and conservation work in Peru.
Neither is it a survival test. All participants are well fed, live in basic but reasonably comfortable conditions (ecotourist lodges, research stations and occasionally tents), and no compromises are made on health and safety.
If you love nature, care about the environment, and have an appetite and enthusiasm for participating in a field research initiative with a real purpose, in beautiful and sometimes remote locations, then this is an exceptional opportunity to spend some quality time contributing to wildlife conservation in the Amazon basin.
Project Phases and Contribution Fee
The Project is set up with distinct phases each lasting around 11 weeks for a full phase or 6 weeks for a half phase. The phases currently scheduled are detailed below, with details of the contribution fees in USD for volunteer researchers.
Full instructions on how to pay the contribution fee will be sent once a volunteer researcher has applied using our Application Form and been formally accepted onto the Project by the Project Manager. If the contribution fee is to be paid in GBP then the daily exchange rate will apply.
PLEASE NOTE: Fauna Forever Tambopata reserves the right to change itineraries and prices if local and/or world conditions change.
This fee includes (from day of arrival in project base town of Puerto Maldonado):
All accommodation in Puerto Maldonado and at field sites (ecotourist lodges and research stations);
Food and water (3 nutritious meals per day and clean drinking water). Bottled soft-drinks (Coke, Fanta, Sprite, etc.) can be purchased separately from lodge and research station staff at each site;
All training provided by the team of principal researchers (theoretical and practical);
All transport (bus and motorized canoe) in Puerto Maldonado and to/from field sites (includes airport welcome on day of arrival and send-off on day of departure);
All in-country and field support provided by Project Manager and Wildlife Team Co-ordinators;
Access to the project's electricity generator for recharging batteries;
Cost of off-setting green house gas emissions from project activities in Tambopata (mainly boat transport and electricity generator);
Use of all project field and communication equipment;
Certificate of participation (given on completion of a Phase);
The confirmation fee of US$400, which effectively reserves your place on your chosen phase and wildlife team.
The contribution fee does not include:
International flights to Lima, Peru;
Domestic/internal flights between Lima and Puerto Maldonado (we recommended booking these online with Lan at http://www.lan.com/);
Travel and health insurance (this is compulsory for all participants);
Carbon off-setting of emissions from international and domestic flights (strongly recommended, we suggest using Conservation International's Carbon Calculator that can be found on their website);
Personal spending money (we suggest US$250 for chilled bottled soft-drinks, special meals out in Puerto Maldonado, laundry, postage, telephone calls and internet).
Payment
The fee should be paid via bank transfer to our UK bank (BACS, SWIFT or CHAPS transfer). Alternatively payment by Paypal can be arranged.
Training
Training is a key component to this project, and several days at the beginning of each phase (known as the orientation period) are devoted to the theoretical and practical aspects of the field methods employed - with activities led by the specialist wildlife team co-ordinators. Further training where required will be provided by these people once the teams have reached their first research site. For this reason, no previous wildlife research experience is necessary to participate in this project. The orientation period is also a good time for participants to get to know each other and the local culture, and for your insides to get used to the new food!
Who Should Apply?
Applicants should be at least 18 years of age, be in good health with a fairly good level of physical fitness. A keen interest, or experience in a related biological field, would be an advantage. Some knowledge of Spanish would also be useful, but is not essential for most aspects of the work, which will be directed in English. A sense of adventure, and the ability to endure often challenging conditions are essential - as is a good sense of humour!
Successful applicants need to be able to spend most of the Phase without contact with the outside world, although there will be periodic re-supply visits to Puerto Maldonado where it is possible to access telephones and internet services. The volunteer should be able to take care of any regular medication that they may be taking, which should not impair their ability to undertake fieldwork at the required times.
Dangers, Annoyances and Curiosities
The Amazon rainforest may seem a scary and formidable place to visit, if you're inclined to believe the hype - full of creatures great and small ready to attack and consume you at every turn! Read more...
Health Advice
Most of the health advice in tourist guide books to Peru, such as those published by the Lonely Planet or Footprint, is good and we recommend successful volunteer applicants to purchase one of these and to read it thoroughly. In general, it is not unusual for first-timers Peru to undergo a brief period of stomach complaints as your insides get used to the new diet and gut flora is rebalanced. It is suggested that you drink only bottled water and be careful of what you eat, especially in the way of market goods. Don't eat unwashed fruit and vegetables or street-prepared food.
Of slightly more concern in the Tambopata area are these:
Leishmaniasis: Up at Tambopata Research Centre there is a small biting fly that carries a disease called Leishmaniasis. Uta, as it is locally known, is a protozoan which can eat away at living flesh and cartilage. It is carried by wild animals and is transmitted to humans by a small white Phlobotamus fly. Only a very small percentage of the flies carry the disease, but it is possible to get infected. It is curable with a 20-day intravenous treatment of antimony. The fly has been observed to enter the lodge from the surrounding forest, so when at the TRC you should wear long sleeves and long pants at all times. The one exception is around midday on hot days, the flies don't fly during such conditions, at this time you can wear shorts and a T-shirt.
Immunizations: Yellow fever immunization is required for travel to the area. Go to your general practitioner or travel doctor and talk to them about this and other injections they recommend.
Malaria: To the best of our knowledge there have been no cases of malaria contracted at the lodges, and the co-ordinators do not take malarial prophylaxis. However we strongly advise you to follow the recommendations of your doctor. For more information on malaria and safe travel visit malariahotspots.co.uk or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office fco.gov.uk
Other forest dangers include Africanised bees, wasps (particularly nocturnal species), and several species of venomous snake (vipers and coral snakes). Evacuation by boat from the most remote lodge to Puerto Maldonado, where there is a hospital, can be achieved within 5 hours.
Communication in the field
Puerto Maldonado has several internet cafes located near the main plaza, most of which are fine. Prices range from USD 0.5-1.00 per hour. Whilst in the field, emergency only messages from friends and family members can be sent to the Project Manager's email address: faunaforevertambopata @ yahoo.com [please delete the spaces in the email address before sending]
It is not suggested that friends and family send care packages by post. They invariably get held up in customs for a long period of time and cost a lot of time, money and effort to get out.