Sponsored Volunteer - Fish Diversity and Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer June 2018

Lang Tengah Turtle Watch is offering the opportunity for 4 candidates to join their volunteer team in a fully sponsored role.  We are looking for budding ecologists or conservationists looking to gain experience in the field.  Applicants should have a relevant undergraduate degree, or higher, be good swimmers, certified Open Water divers and comfortable with living in rustic jungle conditions for 8 weeks.

OUR WORK

The key to safeguarding our nesting population of turtles - predominantly Green Turtles, as well as Hawksbills - on Lang Tengah relies on our constant and continued presence on the island, as this is the main deterrent to egg poachers.  Living 24 hours a day in the camp, we regularly patrol the nesting beaches on the island by night, relocating any nests that are laid on other beaches back to the safety of Turtle Bay.

We are aiming to expand our operations from the shore up into the forest and right down into the ocean.  Our first move has been compiling a species list for the island.  As far as biological research on Lang Tengah is concerned, the records of the marine park and WWF up until we started our operations were described as ‘data deficient’.

In 2018, we aim to expand upon the work we did in 2017 from Turtle Bay and do more to understand the marine ecosystem around Lang Tengah. In mid 2018, we will be conducting fish surveys around Lang Tengah to learn more about diversity, abundance and health of Lang Tengah’s fish and invertebrate species and populations.

YOUR ROLE

You will be the driving force of our operation, patrolling the nesting beaches by night with the rest of our young, dedicated and passionate team.  You will also aid in the relocation of eggs, if necessary, and the gathering of data from pre & post hatch inspections, as well as nesting females.

The expansion of our research means you will also be helping with our marine research. This means assisting in underwater surveys looking at reef fish and invertebrate abundance and diversity, Blacktip reef shark surveys, data recording and updating the marine database.

You will also assist in welcoming visitors from resorts and educating them about the turtles and the project, as well as helping with our school and recycling programmes.

You will look after the camp, ensuring there is enough water to drink and food to eat, as well as partaking in other camp chores such as cleaning and stock-takes

Those looking to volunteer should be relatively fit and acquainted with the rigours of outdoor living. In your application, please specify your certification level, number of logged dives and diving experience.

FREE TIME

Turtles and marine research aside, we try to make your experience with us as fun and interactive as possible.  Every afternoon, we aim to put on leisure activities to make sure you can experience all the island has to offer, these activities include: trekking through the jungle to secluded snorkeling spots, cliff jumping, volleyball, kayaking, playing games on camp and more!  There is also the option to go scuba diving on the island but this is at an additional cost.

ACCOMMODATION

Stripped-back and open-air, the camp lies slightly recessed behind the secluded beach on Turtle Bay.  Think rustic, jungle living - bucket-showers and camp fires.

Please note that we cannot facilitate visa acquisitions for our volunteers.

We are looking to recruit 4 sponsored volunteers to stay from from 3rd June to 29th July 2017.  

Lang Tengah Turtle Watch will cover the costs of of all food, accommodation, project training, equipment, orientation and all leisure activities (excl. scuba diving) whilst on the project.  The successful applicants need only pay for their travel to and from the project site and travel insurance.

As we are a small organisation and we need funds in order to sustain the research phases on Lang Tengah, we kindly request a token donation from the successful applicant (suggested amount $100 USD, any more would be greatly appreciated) to help cover the costs of their time spent with us.

If you feel you’re the right person to be part of our young, passionate and dynamic team of conservationists, please do send through a copy of your C.V. and a Covering Letter to their Project coordinator, Bill: bill@langtengahturtlewatch.org

WEB: www.langtengahturtlewatch.org

FACEBOOK: Lang Tengah Turtle Watch

EMAIL: bill@langtengahturtlewatch.org