Conservation Biology Field Assistant – Spectacled Bears – Volunteer Opportunity in Ecuador

Help with the collection of radio telemetry data in the field for a ground-breaking project tracking Andean bears in the mountains, cloud forests and páramo of northern Ecuador.  South America’s only bear species, Tremarctos ornatus, is classed as “vulnerable” due to habitat fragmentation and hunting (farmers illegally kill bears which eat their maize).  This research project run by biologist and bear expert Armando Castellanos is investigating the home range and habitat use of the Andean bear.  With this information we will create a conservation management plan to avoid human-bear conflict in agricultural areas. 

Andean bears are timid, solitary creatures whose habitat ranges from dense cloud forest to high mountain grassland paramo.  Despite being large mammals, little is known about them.  Your volunteer work here will extend the world’s understanding of the bears’ ecology and behavior in the hope of saving them from extinction. 

This volunteer position is a fantastic opportunity for biology students to gain practical experience in radio telemetry field work.  For those wanting a career in mammal monitoring or conservation biology, helping on this internationally-respected project will provide valuable data collection experience. 

Volunteers must be adaptable, patient, healthy and fit enough to walk at high altitude in variable weather conditions.  For more information see http://www.andeanbear.org/conservation-volunteer.html .  Please quote reference SDConSep10 when you apply.