Desde USD 499
El proyecto Ballenas Jorobadas - Ecuador, se enfoca en conocer la demografía, población, comportamiento, agrupación social de las ballenas jorobadas que migran cada año al Parque Nacional Machalilla, frente a las costas de Puerto López. Este proyecto de investigación nació en 1997 y esta dirigido por la Pacific Whale Foundation y el apoyo logístico de Palo Santo Travel.
El área marina frente a Puerto López es una área de apareamiento y reproducción de ballenas jorobadas, que viajan cada año desde la Antártica hasta el Ecuador. Se estima que hay una población de 6.000 ballenas jorobadas del Pacífico Sur. Además es frecuente encontrar alrededor del área marina de Isla de la Plata otras especies de mamíferos marinos como delfines mulares, delfines manchados, orcas, ballenas tropicales entre otras quince especies más registradas.
Adquirir experiencia en investigación de campo con cetáceos, no es fácil. En general, las ballenas y delfines son difíciles de estudiar en estado natural y salvaje. Son pocos los sitios en el mundo, donde se puede encontrar una gran concentración y abundacia de ciertas especies de ballenas y delfines. Finalmente en latinoamerica son escasos los programas de investigación que comparten información y capacitan estudiantes y turistas. Es tú única oportunidad de asistencia en el campo, te ofrecemos 100% la observación de ballenas, aprender de especialistas y además ayudar y apoyar a proyectos de investigación y conservación de mamíferos marinos en Ecuador.
La investigación se realizá en botes de observación de ballenas que son utilizados para investigación y en botes de investigación, para toma de muestras y grabación de cantos de ballenas. En Ecuador tenemos un catalógo de más de 3.000 ballenas jorobadas fotoidentificadas por los patrones de la cola. Todos los investigadores tomaran fotografías e identificaran las ballenas observadas en nuestro centro de investigación localizado en Puerto López, Manabí, Ecuador.
Este voluntariado tiene una semana programada, sin embargo puede prolongarse. Inicia en junio y termina en el mes de octubre. No se necesita experiencia previa, o carrera universitaria alguna para participar en el voluntariado. Solo necesitas amor por el mar, las ballenas y la naturaleza; entusiasmo de conocer lugares y gente nueva; fuerza y energía diaria; ganas de aprender y trabajar largas jornadas en el mar y la oficina. El costo del voluntariado es por ocho días y cubre materiales, alojamiento, costos de oficina, costos de salidas de campo y donación al proyecto.
Te buscamos, bienvenido!
SCHEDULE FOR WEEK
DAY 1: Arrive at Puerto Lopez. Meeting with the research team. Accommodation Puerto López. Orientation and methodology. Dinner
DAY 2: Research / Whales / Pacific Ocean.
DAY 3: Research /Whales /Isla De Plata / snorkel/Training session about analyzing data.
DAY 4: Research /Whales /Isla De Plata / snorkel/Training session.
DAY 5: DAY OFF
DAY 6: Research / Whales / Pacific Ocean. Analyzing data.
DAY 7: Analyzing data. Comparate with other catalogs. Training session. Dinner.
DAY 8: Research / Whales / Pacific Ocean. Check out.
The activities are the same for the week (five days field, one-day analyzing data, one day off). Only could change the boat routes. Depends on the number of interns, sea state, and weather among others.
A TYPICAL WEEK
Our internship is for a week. If you like more weeks, let me know.
In general, each week are:
Five days in the field with whales. One day with data analysis. One day off. One day for accommodation and orientation.
A TYPICAL DAY
A typical day starts in the morning between 7-9 am. For the first few days, interns will spend 1 to 2 hours in data collection training sessions or prepare materials, and equipment before departing to the pier.
We use whale-watching boats such as research platforms. During our research, we use three trips.
1. Trip from Puerto Lopez to La Plata Island, once at the pier (between 9 am – 5 pm). Isla de La Plata boat.
2. Trip from Puerto Lopez to Salango Island, once at the pier (between 10 am – 1 pm). Whale Watching boat.
3. Trip from Puerto Lopez to a marine protected area, once at the pier (between 9 am - 3 pm). Research boat.
Once at the pier (between 10 - 1 pm) interns will go on a 2-3 hours whale watching trip and will have 1-2 hours upon return to have lunch and rest. In the afternoon hours, there will be data analysis sessions using the pictures and data collected on that day. Depending on the day, instead of data analysis, we will be working on the photo-identification catalogs or on other activities. Interns are expected to finish their tasks by 5-6 pm. Remember, we use whale watching boats such as our research platform.
This fee includes:
Full internship Program for the week. Basic accommodation in small suites in Puerto Lopez with kitchen and individual bathrooms.
Wifi free and basic equipment for analyzing data. Boat-based humpback whale photo-identification and behavioral data collection trips
In the field trips, we have snacks, box lunch, and beverages. Training sessions in cetacean research techniques and software’s
Analyzing data with scientific supervision. A farewell dinner (2 times * week). Entrance and tour Isla de La Plata (one day)
Snorkeling trips. Spanish lessons (optional for an extra fee). Certificate of attendance.
WHAT´S NOT INCLUDED?
This fee does not include flights to and from Ecuador, transportation from and to Puerto Lopez, breakfast, lunch or dinner, drinks, buses or tuk-tuk in Puerto Lopez, compulsory health and travel insurance, tips, and personal expenses.
WHAT TO BRING?
Personal laptop or tablet (optional). We have computers in our whale research center. Rainproof jacket. Small backpack to take to the field trips. Hat, sunscreen, towels, flip-flops/sandals, swimming costume, towel, sunglasses, repellent, personal/ prescription medicines. Do take in consideration that although there are pharmacies in town, you must bring your personal medication (to last the duration of your stay) if you need any
*Although not mandatory, it is preferable that you bring a professional camera with a 300mm lens and a memory card.
ACCOMMODATION
Interns are accommodated in a 3-floor house located in Puerto Lopez, and only a 10-minute walk into town, where you board the whale-watching vessels.
All bedrooms (a maximum number of 2 people per bedroom, one for bed, depends on the capacity) count with a private bathroom a basic kitchen or refrigerator, and also a single bed for each intern. Sheets, blankets, mosquito nets, and pillows are provided. Wifi and tv cable-free in all rooms. Pool, hammocks, and gardens are part of our whale research center.
The electricity is 120v. Connector Type A and B.
For further information and questions, please write an email to palosanto22@gmail.com
There are only a limited number of places, better book soon!
Please check our research center page