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Title | Tortoise project intern - Round Island, Mauritius |
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Description |
Giant tortoises were once common in Mauritius and became extinct in the mid-1800s. The tortoises fulfilled an important role in the native ecosystem as browsers, grazers and seed dispersers. Many native and endemic plants have evolved with, and appear to be adapted to their presence and tortoises are thought to be an integral factor in sustaining habitat diversity. Since 2004 the MWF has been using Aldabra giant tortoises as an ecological replacement for the extinct Mauritian species. The aim is to restore lost plant-tortoise interactions and help re-create a self-sustainable ecosystem. The project manages tortoises on two islands, namely Ile aux Aigrettes and Round Island. Hatchlings are collected from the breeding herd on Ile aux Aigrettes, reared in secure enclosures and then transferred to Round Island where they are initially held in quarantine and then released. All of the released tortoises are individually marked and are closely monitored on both islands, with data collected upon their distribution, movement, health and impact upon the vegetation. The use of tortoises as ecosystem engineers for re-wilding Mauritian islands has gained a lot of interest and the project works closely with MWF’s academic partners. The tortoise project intern will be working closely with and reporting to the tortoise project staff in charge.
The main duties will include:
Requirements Applicants will need to:
We need the intern to commit for a six month period from September 2017. They would be required to pay for their own return airfare and must have comprehensive insurance cover (including repatriation) for the duration of their stay. Accommodation and transport between MWF sites will be provided and the intern will need approximately £150 to £200 per month to cover their own costs for food, socialising and personal items. Personal equipment needs are basic (eg work clothes, good boots, sun protection, reliable watch, LED head torch, thin sleeping bag and/or bed sheet, mosquito net, mobile phone).
To apply: please send a CV (resume) and a covering letter (with the word ‘Tortoise’ followed by your surname and initials at the start of each file name), by email to: recruitment@mauritian-wildlife.org |