Might be of interest.
For YETI
Debabrata Phukon
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Kshitij Garg <kshitij@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2019, 11:19 am
Subject: Internships and Volunteering at Wild Otters Research, Goa
To: Young Ecologists Talk & Interact Yeti <meet.yeti@xxxxxxxxx>
Hi,
Kindly circulate on YETI.
Wild Otters Research <http://wildotters.com/> is a wildlife research
organization based on Chorao Island, Goa working on studying the habitat,
behaviour, ecology and threats to otters in particular but soon to expand
to atleast a couple of more species (civet cats and porcupines in the
mangrove ecosystem). We primarily work outside of protected areas, but some
work does take us inside of them.
The internship and volunteering program is tuned to be beneficial and
attract individuals (both Indian and Foreign nationals) pursuing wildlife
biology or allied fields as well as is multidisciplinary in nature to teach
them not only wildlife skills and contribute directly to the projects, but
also about running such an organization more holistically, being part of
media outreach and other aspects basis their interest and skills. We are
pursuing a number of very interesting projects in Otter ecology, research &
conservation at our field research base on Chorao Island, Goa, India.
Major projects on which interns shall gain experience and training on
during this period :
*Projects on otters currently ongoing :*
1. e-DNA study of the Smooth-coated otter : Finding evidence that
environmental DNA methods can be used as a marker to establish the presence
of otters in an ecosystem and specific areas.
2. Den usage of Smooth-coated otter : Studying the den patterns of the
Smooth-coated otter in terms of times of their exit/entry, behaviour around
the den, pup movements and birth cycle, potential conflicts with other
animals/humans at the dens etc.
3. Habitat study of the Asian small-clawed otter : A project to understand
the distribution of the threatened small-clawed otter in the nearby state
of Karnataka. This is inside a protected area.
4. Ensuring otter survival in the Mandovi Island Complex (to begin soon,
pilot study completed) : Being executed in collaboration with a partner
organization, where aerial imagery (via drones) of the 5 islands in this
area over a period of 1 year to begin with will be mapped with
wildlife/biodiversity habitat, distribution and behaviour changes on the
ground (using field surveys, camera trapping, GPS devices etc.) to come to
conclusions of what kinds of human interference are more severely affecting
wildlife as opposed to others. Also to inculcate learnings into a state
development policy plan at a later stage.
*Duration :*
The minimum duration for internships is 3 weeks, while the maximum is 6
months, whereas volunteering can be done for a shorter duration of a
minimum 3 days. Interns work directly with our researchers in gathering and
analyzing data, doing daily field visits, using technologies like camera
trapping, GPS, mapping and other tools to undertake their projects. Basis
availability of slots we can accommodate you, so please plan and apply
early.
*Months :*
Slots are currently open for applicants that may want to begin in the
months of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August and
September 2019. As suggested above, we are expecting slots to fill for
certain months soon, so please apply early if you would be interested.
*Fee :*
The fee for internships is *INR 750 per day*. *(This covers costs for
accommodation, all meals, field travel and equipment costs. We have
consciously kept this quite low so that individuals don't face funds as a
typical roadblock in trying to pursue conservation research.)*
*Location :*
Google maps link <https://goo.gl/maps/QpXonsZpLgE2> to Wild Otters Field
Base.
*Registration and enquiries :*
Please drop an email to kshitij@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx with your CV, a short cover
letter telling about yourself and why you would like to intern.
Warm regards,
Kshitij Garg
*Chief of Communications, Wild Otters Research*
kshitij@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(91) 8879335165
Chorao Island, Goa, India