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Gain practical conservation experience to develop your career whilst contributing to conservation efforts on an island paradise.
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Join one of the leading marine and terrestrial data collection organisations in the Seychelles. Here, you will be able to support us in the creation of conservation policies and take part in critical conservation research within a national park. By not only gaining irreplaceable practical skills and knowledge on the conservation of some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, you will also be able to contribute towards the long-term survival of endangered species such as the hawksbill turtle.
Project work is 5 days a week
Open all year except November and December, set start dates
On this program, you could be working with critically endangered sea turtles which nest on the island; studying nesting success in hawksbill and green turtles, collecting data such as tag numbers, carapace (shell) measurements and number of eggs laid or carrying out nest excavations to measure hatching success. Or, you could be helping us track down sicklefin lemon shark pups for our catch-and-release project, gathering population and growth rate information on this understudied species.
Get involved with recording the rate of coastal erosion with our beach profiling surveys, collecting growth and reproductive data for the endemic and unique Coco de Mer palm tree, assisting in our annual census of the island’s Aldabra giant tortoise population and keeping tabs on the growth rates of hatchlings and juvenile tortoises in the nursery.
Our monitoring program and work schedules change seasonally; which projects are available will depend on the time of year you visit – speak to our team for further details. As an intern, you’ll be on rotation between the different projects which gives you the opportunity to really make a difference in a variety of different ways while at the same time giving you a broad range of professional skills and experience for your future career.
The internship encourages participants to develop their own ideas and introduce new aspects to help further their contribution to the conservation of an incredible species. Interns will be given specific leadership responsibilities as well as weekly assignments and evaluation from their mentors, who will monitor their progress throughout their stay at the hub.
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and can expect one or two free days per week, usually at weekends. In this time you could explore the islands of Praslin or La Digue, visit the capital of Mahé, Victoria (although the ferry to Mahe is relatively expensive), visit local beaches, snorkel or just relax on base. Before and after your program you could spend a little more time in the Seychelles on the close-by islands of Praslin and La Digue, or join a charter to sail even further afield. Please allow several days if you hope to travel between islands, there are over 100 in the archipelago but getting around takes time – the possibilities are endless!
Mixed dorm with a shared bathroom
Accommodation is in shared (mixed sex) dorm rooms. There is cold running water available for showers and bottled water available for drinking. Bathroom facilities are shared, and participants also share base duties, including cleaning and other chores.
Volunteer kitchen and eating area
Participants take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is basic but nutritious, and primarily vegetarian with optional fish or meat available no more than once or twice a week. Breakfast could be porridge with fresh fruit, or occasionally pancakes or cereal, lunch and evening meals may include pasta, beans, rice, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, etc.
Participants mostly use internet cafe’s to keep in touch with access to internet about once a week.
You will have access to long distance communications whilst on the program, but make sure friends and family know how often they can expect to hear from you. Local SIM cards and pay-as-you-go credit can be bought affordably in the Seychelles and the signal is good in most areas. Contact your mobile/cell phone provider for more information before travelling.
The nearest emergency medical facilities are located in Victoria on Mahé island, 25 miles (40km) from the Cap Ternay expedition base. GVI staff are trained in first aid, and during your training you will receive First Aid training. First aid kits are provided on base and in boats/vehicles, and oxygen is available in the event of a diving emergency. It is important to note that Curiuese is only accessible by boat.
Provided, more details to be provided upon confirmation
English
Passport, Criminal Background check, Medical form
Doctors note must be signed if you have any illnesses to declare
Volunteers need to have a high level of physical fitness. There are rough rocky tourist trails, steep in places – hikes are anything from 2 - 5 kms long and you can be going out on 2 surveys a day.
Kit list will be sent across at time of confirmation
Once you have confirmed your spot on this program, you will be allocated to a dedicated program expert who will assist you as you prepare for your program.
Project staff on base who facilitate the project, run training’s & assist with any additional health & safety needs if required. 24 Hour emergency phone. Please ask your program expert for more information.
You will be given the option to pay in instalments for an Instalment Fee of £125 per booking. If you select this Instalment Fee option, a non-refundable deposit payment of £350 is due within 48 hours of notice of acceptance onto the program, 50% of the balance will fall due 16 weeks before departure and the remaining 50% of the balance will fall due 12 weeks before departure. If you the Participant cancel this agreement, the Participant shall not be entitled to a refund of any monies paid.
If you do not select the Instalment Fee option, the full cost of your booking is due within 48 hours of notice of acceptance onto the program. If you the Participant cancel this agreement more than 16 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of the full amount paid minus £350.
If you the Participant cancel this agreement between 16 and 12 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of 60% of the full amount paid. If you the Participant cancel this agreement less than 12 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of £100.
I have now volunteered with GVI twice - in Seychelles and South Africa on wildlife conservation projects, both experiences were genuinely life changing. The staff are incredible, providing support from the very beginning, and the people that you meet become life-long friends because they are all like-minded individuals looking to make a difference. I had very little knowledge and no experience of wildlife conservation before volunteering with GVI but that didn't affect my contribution and experience. GVI have provided the tools I need to start a career in conservation if I want to. 10000% recommend to anyone looking to give back while travelling, have a career break and learn something new, or gain valuable experience for a career. I am now receiving regular job updates from GVI and I am planning another trip with GVI next year.
Review by:
Amber Scheffers
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