Location:

Nairobi, Kenya

Program Type:

Volunteer Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Work Types:

Animals, Environment

Duration:

1-3 months

Program Overview

Program Description:

Join this programme and take part in sea turtle conservation volunteer work involving research and monitoring of nesting turtles, education and outreach as well as turtle rehabilitation all throughout the year in Watamu, Kenya. The project was featured in the last episode of a 6 part BBC documentary series, Africa, featuring Sir David Attenborough. You can join for 2 weeks up to 8 weeks all year round. We have places all throughout 2014 & 2015 available. Individuals, groups and students doing research all welcome.

This project offers the opportunity to volunteer with sea turtles in Kenya and take part in a variety of different sea turtle conservation related projects, as listed below. We are happy to discuss each area of work with you and are also open to your suggestions and welcome students with research ideas. -Beach patrols -Nest excavations -Assisting with sea turtle net releases and research -Turtle rehabilitation -Poaching surveys -Mangrove seedling collection and replanting -GPS mapping -Beach surveys -Beach clean ups -Movement pattern research of turtles in Mida Creek -Mida Creek survey -Crab catching -Education & awareness -Community development:

Watamu Turtle Watch was formed in 1997 to continue and develop the marine turtle conservation efforts of a local naturalist Barbara Simpson, which she had been undertaking in the area since the 1970's. Very quickly they came to realise that the survival of the marine turtles in Watamu was intrinsically linked to the well being of the surrounding marine environment and to the protection of turtles across their migratory range. Concerned by the widespread degradation of the Kenyan marine environment, and national exploitation of marine turtles, they broadened its conservation efforts to encompass these issues while maintaining a focus of its turtle activities in the Watamu / Malindi area. They work in close co-operation with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Fisheries Department, Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and the Kenya Sea Turtle Conservation Committee (KESCOM), of which it is a member.

Setting Description:

The Watamu Marine Park is part of a United Nations Biosphere Reserve and has been designated as a place of great natural beauty with miles of beautiful beaches and corals rich in marine flora and fauna. Watamu Watamu / Malindi Marine Parks and Reserve (WMMPR) covers an area of 229 km2 and is part of a United Nations Biosphere Reserve, that also includes the Arabuko Sokoke Coastal forest. The WMMPR protected areas consist of two Marine Parks: Malindi in the North, and Watamu in the South. This amounts to approximately 30kms of coastline, with a fringing reef along its entirety, as well as numerous patch reefs. The fringing reef forms several lagoons, some of which are still rich in coral and fish species. The Parks and Reserves provide an important residing and feeding habitat for sea turtles, while the 5km beach within Watamu Marine Park is a key turtle nesting ground in the country.

Cost:

The cost for 2 weeks is £550, 3 weeks is £750, 4 weeks is £950 and for 8 weeks is £1885, which covers all project costs, including one day time meal at lunchtime on weekdays (the rest is self catered), quality accommodation in the Lallies House, airport transfers from Malindi, all training and supervision by Project Manager and Volunteer Co-ordinator, WorkingAbroad Projects backup and placement support. Cleaning is also included in the price and laundry can be done at minimal extra cost paid i