Each year, the Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit (CRRU) offers a number of unique opportunities for a seasonal corps of trainees to join their field projects in Gardenstown in Scotland and Trang in SW Thailand as contributing members of the research and rescue team. The field courses are run in the form of an 11-day educational placement, and as a trainee with the CRRU you will have the opportunity to learn about these mammals and their dynamic marine environment first hand - working closely alongside a dedicated and knowledgeable team of biologists whilst at the same time providing crucial support for the organisation's long-term research programme. As you participate in ongoing field studies, you will learn and apply the principles of field research design (accompanied by structured lectures and field tuition), undertake training in marine mammal rescue techniques, and gain a personal understanding of the conservation issues which drive the research, rescue and conservation activities of this small but estimable charity. Founded in 1997, the CRRU boasts over 70 scientific publications to date (http://www.crru.org.uk/publications.asp). In cooperation with universities, research institutions and other environmental organisations, current studies focus on the key coastal cetacean species frequenting the outer Moray Firth in NE Scotland - namely bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and minke whales - and the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins of Trang in SW Thailand; providing robust scientific data for the adoption of management measures and effective conservation strategies for their future protection. The most important requirements for participants are enthusiasm, the ability and willingness to learn and work under often difficult (but rewarding) field conditions, and the open-mindedness and sense of humour to work, live and communicate with other people of mixed nationality, background and ethnicity. For further details, including a full list of available team dates and costs, please visit http://www.crru.org.uk/join_the_team.asp. A full project briefing and booking forms are available by emailing us at: info@crru.org.uk. With all best wishes and thanks Dr. Kevin Robinson kev.robinson@crru.org.uk Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit | Whale and Dolphin Research | Environmental Education | Wildlife Rescue | Marine Conservation | Consultancy | Web: <http://www.crru.org.uk/> www.crru.org.uk PO Box 11307, Banff AB45 3WB, Scotland ( +44 (0)1261 851696 | 13 M1 Koh Tao, Suratthani 84360, Thailand ( +66 (0)872 634593 | Recognised Scottish Charity No. SC 035473 Check out our new Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/crru.org.uk P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail