INTERNSHIP FOR SEA TURTLE & CETACEAN CONSERVATION IN INDONESIA Yayasan Konservasi RASI (Conservation for Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia) in collaboration with Konservasi Biota Laut Berau (Association for the Protection of Marine Life in Berau) offer internships for students but also volunteer opportunities for non-students to take part in a long-term turtle and cetacean monitoring and conservation program in East Kalimantan. Project activities in a glimpse The internship will take place on the two neighbouring islands Mataha and Bilang-bilangan that lie 3 km apart. These islands are strict conservation islands so all the activities must be conducted accordingly. The internship focuses mostly on turtle conservation on these islands (80% of time) while 20% of time is spent on cetacean & manta monitoring around the islands. Volunteers should expect to work at least 36h per week for the duties mentioned below. During spare time you may snorkel around the island and observe the turtles in the water. Internships ideally are for a minimum of 1 month and maximum of 6 months. If you want stay shorter than one month we will need to check availability of places. Duties General duties for program participants will include: 1) Beach patrols for nesting turtles - patrols are undertaken each night at varying hours and in the early morning. The patrols serve several functions and may last between 4 - 6 hours. You can help rangers with: • searching for nesting activity and nesting turtles; • searching for any evidence of nests hatching; • collecting data on nesting turtles and nesting events; data-entry • checking nests already laid; • searching for any turtle stranding, whether sick or dead; • looking out for illegal poachers on the beach and report them to the rangers. • Occasionally turtles lay their eggs in unsuitable places. In such cases, rangers relocated the nest to a new site and the eggs are carefully moved and re-buried. After the nest has hatched we do a survey of the hatching success rate, which involves nest excavation and analysis of the shells left. 2) Collecting waste on the beach 3) Helping rangers in ranger’s house (repairing the house, cleaning, cooking, making turtle souvenirs, teaching the local rangers English - a group of about six people, adults and beginners) 4) Dolphin transects will be followed once a week when weather conditions are optimal including manta observations. During previous surveys in this area, we have observed spinner and spotted dolphins, common and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, melon-headed whales, Fraser's dolphins Requirements Volunteers are expected to fulfill certain requirements in order to participate in our program. Work is extremely demanding, both at a physical and mental level, and these requirements are just to ensure that volunteers enjoy their experience in our project. • Need to be fit and motivated and enjoy working outdoors in warm and humid • Volunteers must be good swimmers, physically fit to walk long distances on soft, sandy beaches and nature trails, working in all weather conditions. • Be friendly and communicative, be able to work in a group with local Indonesian rangers and live on the islands with only a few people, mainly locals • A background in biology, wildlife conservation or similar fields is preferred • Previous experience in other sea turtle conservation projects is an advantage • Able to converse, receive and understand instructions in English. Indonesian is an advantage but not necessary. On the island conversations in English and Indonesian are the only accepted languages. • Minimum age of 18 • Travel insurance that covers health/ medical expenses (but be careful because a lot of travel insurance don’t run in isolated places) • Being able to work in remote areas under extreme conditions • Flexibility to adapt to changing schedules as required and ability to adapt to work at alternating nights shifts • No alcohol consumption is allowed. • Illegal drugs are not tolerated and any use will result in immediate expulsion from the project. How to obtain more information and/or apply: You can obtain a more detailed flyer with information by sending us an email (to addresses below) or check out website:www.ykrasi.org under 'coastal activities' (in text click 'read more about this volunteer opportunity') Please send an email to biota.laut1@gmail.com; hanka.sauria@seznam.cz (Berly Daneil & Hana Svobodová) and cc to yk.rasi@gmail.com (Danielle Kreb & Budiono) with a motivation letter and CV. Also, please indicate in which period you would like to participate. The successful applicants will be notified no later than 2 weeks after application. The project staff will do their best to attend your preferences in terms of participation periods. We will notify you if these are not available, to discuss alternatives. Information about the organizations: Konservasi Biota Laut Berau (Association for the Protection of Marine Life in Berau) is an Indonesian organization which protect sea turtles in Berau (Indonesia). The Czech biologist Hana Svobodová and Czech ZOO gardens (ZOO Hodonín, ZOO Liberec, ZOO Ostrava) helps to run this project. Director is Berly Daniel Our vision: A future where sea turtles and their habitats are sustainably protected, healthy, and safe from threat of extinction and destruction. Our mission: To contribute to sea turtle conservation at our own project sites by cooperating with local communities to create a future where both sea turtles and people can survive. Address: Jl. Mangga II, Gang Anunta No. 03, RT 11, Kel. Karang Ambon, Kec. Tanjung Redeb, Kab. Berau, Indonesia E-mail: biota.laut1@gmail.com; hanka.sauria@seznam.cz (contact Hana Svobodová) https://www.facebook.com/KonservasiBiotaLautBerau/ Collaborating partner: Yayasan Konservasi RASI (Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia) Since 2018 BLB and RASI will work together on the conservation of the two islands of Mataha and Bilang-bilangan. RASI has been established as an Indonesian NGO in 2000 and has been running the Berau marine vertebrates conservation program since 2007. Though this program RASI aims to protect a high diversity of marine vertebrates including cetaceans, turtles, whale sharks and manta rays in the Marine Protected Area of Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Besides raising awareness, engaging local communities in sustainable handycraft and ecotourism activities, part of the conservation program includes a long-term monitoring program of marine vertebrates in the area. Director is Budiono and scientific program manager is Danielle Kreb. Address: Komplek Pandan Harum Indah Blok C 52, Samarinda, 75124, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia Web: www.ykrasi.org; FB page & group: Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia E-mail: yk.rasi@gmail.com (contact Danielle or Budiono) -- -------------------------- Danielle Kreb (Ph.D.) Scientific Program Advisor Yayasan Konservasi RASI Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia Komplek Pandan Harum Indah (Erlyza) Blok C, No. 52 Samarinda 75124 Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia Tel/ fax: + 62.541.744874 Mobile: 081346489515 http://www.ykrasi.org Facebook group/page: Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia Member of IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group *“To the dolphin alone, nature has given that which the best* *philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage. Though it has no* *need of help from any man, it is a genial friend to all and has helped mankind.”* *–Plutarch*