Help study and conserve vital ocean ecosystems when you volunteer with our Marine Wildlife Research Project in South Africa.

The Western Indian Ocean is a biological wonderland, dominated by coral reefs, coastal mangrove forests, and sea grass beds that support important marine wildlife. These ecosystems sustain communities on the West African coast and are increasingly threatened by over-fishing, population growth, sedimentation and coastal development.

In light of these threats, our Marine Wildlife Research Project in South Africa provides important support to ongoing research and conservation efforts. As a volunteer, you will help scientists and local citizens study the region’s fragile ecology, and help rescue stranded seals and dolphins. Other tasks include preparing and assembling marine animal skeletons for educational purposes, giving talks at local schools, and providing photo documentation of wildlife. With our Marine Wildlife Research Project, you will help advance important research in one of the world’s vital ecosystems.

As a volunteer you can:
Collect and analyze data on coastal dolphins, whales and Cape     fur seals
Photograph animals, tracking their movements and mapping     habitat use in the Plettenberg Bay area
Participate in the rescue and rehabilitation of penguins, sea birds,     seals, dolphins and whales
Conduct land-based whale and dolphin surveys
Fulfill office duties, including data analysis, record keeping                                                               and administration

	Accompany commercial boats out into the bay to obtain
	photographs of marine life

Project Length:	Start Dates:
Minimum: 1 month Maximum: None	Arrive on any Monday excluding public holidays
Project Cost:	Cost Includes:
4 weeks: 6 weeks: 8 weeks: Each additional week:	Airport pickup and drop-off All daily transportation to and from the   program On-site orientation and training Accommodations 3 meals per day In-country support and program coordination 24-hour local emergency support Contribution to support the project
Requirements:
Volunteers should be physically fit in order to carry out the tasks associated with this project.
Schedule:	Accommodations:
The general hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., although these are flexible. Set schedules are notoriously difficult to arrange as something more interesting always comes up. Typical workdays are Monday through Friday. You may be asked to help out over weekends, but generally you can spend Saturdays and Sundays relaxing on the beach, exploring the local forests or enjoying some of the many activities the area has to offer.	Private and shared bedrooms (depending on   size of group) Large living/dining/kitchen area 5 bathrooms with toilets, showers, basins,   hot water Outside deck