Help the Dolphins of Bali

Placement number: 0193
Location:    Bali, Indonesia 
Preferred Languages: English
Date:  All Year - Starts in August 2008
Minimum Period : 2 weeks

This is a unique facility based on the tropical Island of Bali, concerned with scientific research and conservation education projects. Our volunteers will combine activity holidays with real scientific data collection on various aspects of tropical biology. We aim to help to save the dolphins of Bali and the communtiy whom rely heavily on this industry and contribute to real practical scientific research on jungle ecosystems, the effects of deforestation on freshwater systems, assessing the health of coral reefs and their taxonomy and vegetation changes over time on active volcanoes. Eco adventure placements can be undertaken by any passionate enthusiast and accessible to everyone and will provide opportunities for both trainee scientists and nature lovers the chance to conduct research only normally granted to the elite of science.

Role of Volunteer

2 week eco adventure volunteers will follow the intinerary stated below over a two week period conducting research on various aspects of tropical biology, no prior knowledge is necessary but would be advantageous just an adventurous spirit and love of nature are the pre-requisites for the role. 6 month research volunteers will conduct their own unique research project and will be treated as a real scientist, gathering their own data and producing a research paper at the end of their placement. These placements will rely on the volunteers confidence in their own ability, a deeper knowledge of their topic and commitment to conduct their own independant research. 

Itinerary - 2 week eco adventures

- Day 1
Arrive in Bali and travel in the V.O.I.C.E bus to headquarters
Welcome meeting. Barbeque and opportunities to meet fellow eco-tourists and staff.

- Day 2
Free morning.
Optional afternoon trip to the temple on the lake, git git waterfall and rice terraces.

-Day 3
Head for the Volcano to measure plant succession.
Walk to the summit and conduct vegetation surveys on descent.

-Day 4
Head to the jungle, set up camp.
Conduct butterfly and bird transects.
Afternoon, lay pitfall traps.
Nightfall, conduct insect surveys.

-Day 5
After spending the night in the jungle.
Morning, identify insects from pit fall traps.
Head back to headquarters in early afternoon.
Afternoon brief educational materials focus group.

-Day 6
Morning, compiling educational materials for local children’s conservation workshops. Afternoon, community talks or visit WWF sponsored turtle centre.

-Day 7
Free day.

-Day 8
Morning, coral and fish identification class.
Afternoon, snorkelling or (diving at cost) the reefs of Bali.
Evening, dolphin recording and identification class.

-Day 9
Early morning sunrise dolphin survey, recording species, individuals, numbers, number of boats in the vicinity and activity.
Afternoon dolphin survey.
Sunset dolphin survey.

-Day 10
Same as day 9, to develop thorough research database of the dolphins of Lovina. Between Afternoon and Evening boat trip, Beach Olympics!!!

-Day 11
Free day.

-Day 12
3 dolphin surveys at alternative times.

-Day 13
1 morning dolphin survey.
Afternoon fresh water fish and invertebrate sampling.

-Day 14
Depart Bali.

Itinerary - 6 month placement opportunities