Andean Condor Conservation Biologist Volunteers, October 2013

Conservation biologist volunteers needed for research into the endangered Andean condor, Vultur gryphus, in the north of Ecuador.  

The condor is a Critically Endangered Species in Ecuador.  It is believed that there are fewer than 50 wild condors left in Ecuador, and 18 incaptivity.  The project aims to understand more about condor behavior (both wild and captive) in order to identify factors impacting on condor survival and the actions needed to save the species from extinction. 

Project components include captive breeding with plans for future reintroduction, observation of wild condors, community education and raising awareness.  The condor conservation project is a collaboration between Fundación Galo Plaza Lasso, the Community of Zuleta and Fundación Zoológica del Ecuador (the parent organization of Quito Zoo), and is part of Ecuador’s National Strategy for Conservation of the Andean Condor. 

Volunteer biology students/graduates can help with data collection (behavioral observation).  Volunteers will make detailed observations of the behavior of the project’s 7 captive condors, and of the wild condors seen most days here.  The area is home to around 10% of Ecuador’s wild condor population. 

The project aims to conserve the condors’ páramo habitat and inventory other wildlife in the area, so volunteers may also be involved in cataloguing camera trap photos (often of Andean bears, as well as the condors), or recording wildlife sightings.  

This is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in data collection (behavioral observation) and may qualify as an internship or field experience for the purposes of some degree courses.

Applicants must be studying or have studied biology, zoology, ecology, wildlife conservation or a similar subject at university level for at least a year.  Minimum age: 20.  Volunteers need to be reasonably fit, able to walk at altitude, and have good attention to detail for data collection.

 30-day placement starting 4^th October 2013.  Other opportunities also available for other months in 2013.

For more information and how to apply, download the information pack from  http://fundaciongaloplazalasso.org/en/voluntariado/volunteer-conservation-biology/ or email volunteersfgpl@yahoo.co.uk . Please quote reference SDJul13Oct2 when applying.