ECOSARA AMPHIBIAN RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS IN SOUTH AMERICA

ECOSARA reptile research volunteers will be involved in every aspect of the study of the biology, population dynamics and distribution of the reptile species recorded in San Rafael. With several new species to science discovered here in the last few years, reptile study at San Rafael is an exciting and rewarding past-time! Research volunteers will work as part of a small group overseen by a staff member on current research projects or for those that wish to develop their own projects, alone under the guidance of a staff member who will assist them to ensure that their results are both useful and productive. A file of suggested reptile research projects with detailed instructions is available for volunteers who wish to work alone and are looking for ideas on how to do so. Of course volunteers are able to switch between projects, just because you signed up as a reptile volunteer doesn´t mean that you can´t also do some work with birds or plants if the fancy takes you!

We encourage ECOSARA research volunteers to publish the results of their work and offer all the assistance necessary to those that wish to do so. For many volunteers the opportunity to see their name in print is something that is extremely appealing. Volunteers will be credited in any publication that uses data which they helped to gather. Volunteers who carry out their own projects will have an informal meeting each evening with staff members to discuss progress and will be expected to produce a brief report of their findings at the end of their stay.

We think that ALL field observations are important and accurate note-taking is part of the daily routine of all volunteers. The study of reptiles is a seasonal pursuit and involves working during the hottest part of the day at the hottest time of year. Daily observations and records will be logged into the San Rafael biodiversity database to keep tabs on reptile abundance and distribution. Volunteers with a knack for photography are always welcome, we are always looking to boost the photographic database of the parks fauna. In the interests of making data accessible and open to all we collaborate with online database projects such as the FAUNA Paraguay.com image gallery.

To give you an idea of the sort of work that reptile volunteers are involved with, here are some of the more popular projects:

Inventory of the reptile species present in San Rafael National Park.
Seasonal and temporal variation in local species composition.
Reptiles associated with artificial versus natural water sources.
Quantitative biogeography of reptile fauna of San Rafael.
Perceptions of local villages towards venomous and non-venomous snakes and its effects.
Behavioural studies of reptile species in situ and in captivity.
Trophic ecology of lizard species.
Ecological affinities of the park´s reptiles.
Population and abundance of reptiles in the reserve.
Taxonomic studies of the herpetofauna, paying close attention to morphometric and chromatic characters.
Utilisation of refuges by the reptiles of San Rafael

You don´t need to have any scientific background to be an ECOSARA reptile research volunteer, just enthusiasm, a sense of adventure and willingness to get your hands dirty!

Up for it?!

Click here to apply now!