Alouatta Sanctuary near David, Panama provides a limited number of internship opportunities for those seeking first-hand experience in the fields of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. Alouatta Sanctuary has been strategically reforested to form part of a corridor between two intact primary forests. As a result, the property functions as critical wildlife habitat for a variety of species (mantled howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, night monkeys, ocelots, peccaries, coatis, and many others). Alouatta Sanctuary is also one of the only wildlife rehabilitation sites in Panama currently specializing in the rehabilitation of primates, with an emphasis on mantled howler monkeys. As such, we serve an important role in conserving animals critical to tropical forest ecosystems, and establishing best-use practices for tropical forest conservation and reforestation.
Interns assist with ongoing research projects, participate in primate rehabilitation efforts, and support the day-to-day functioning of the facility. Training is available in the fields of wildlife rehabilitation, primate behavior and ecology, tropical forest biology, field sampling procedures, and data processing techniques (including GIS). Opportunities for individual research projects and co-authorship of peer-reviewed publications may also be available, depending on intern contributions and interests.
Interns have the opportunity to participate in the following projects:
Population Viability Studies: Interns are needed to conduct wildlife censuses using line transects , remote camera traps, and other non-invasive methods (track plates, passive traps). Data will be used to generate population estimates in various habitat types and make population viability projections. Opportunities may also be available to assist in targeted reforestation efforts and local community conservation programs.
Wildlife/Primate Rehabilitation: Interns assist in the daily care of rehabilitated animals (mostly primates) and monitor newly released individuals, documenting feeding preferences and interactions with free-ranging animals. Data are used to make recommendations regarding rehabilitation and release methods.
Primate Cognition Studies: Interns help to conduct a series of cognitive experiments in the form of foraging challenges that address howler monkey knowledge of the physical world. These experiments provide important enrichment opportunities for the primates we rehabilitate and yield new information for the scientific community as to primate cognitive abilities.
Primate Bioacoustics: Vocalization studies not only provide a valuable window into an animal's behavior and ecology, they can also serve as a powerful conservation tool. At Alouatta Sanctuary, interns can study primate vocalizations in order to improve auditory survey methods and individual identification techniques, as well as to better understand vocalization context and meaning.
Interns must make at least a 1-month commitment (40 hours/week), with longer stays preferred. (Slightly shorter stays may be considered for university students with December start dates). Start dates are flexible and available periodically throughout the year, and interns are accepted on a rolling basis. See http://www.alouattasanctuary.org/index.php/volunteer/internships for the next available start date.
SALARY/FUNDING: Interns will be provided with housing at Alouatta Sanctuary, but are unpaid and will be responsible for providing their own airfare to David as well as $750/mo in fees to cover training and food. Accommodations are very comfortable (hot water, electricity, internet). We are located roughly 45 min from David, Panama, a modern city with all the amenities (an international airport, hospitals, supermarkets, hardware stores, movie theatres, etc). The sanctuary’s location also provides an excellent base to explore the best nature Panama has to offer (cloud forests, beaches, marine parks) during time off.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must be physically fit, have excellent communication skills and the ability to work with people of all ages and from different cultures. Applicants must be able to provide proof of a negative TB test (Mantoux or x-ray) and Hepatitis (A & B) vaccinations, and must purchase current international health insurance while in Panama. Experience traveling to the tropics or living in remote conditions is a plus, as is coursework or work experience in primate ecology or environmental education. Spanish language skills are not required.
Contact Information:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please send a short letter of interest, CV, and names/contact information for 3 references to internships@alouattasanctuary.org. Be specific as to which projects you are most interested in, the start/end dates you prefer, and your experience (if any) with wildlife, environmental science, or education.