Overview
Internship on Environmental Programs in Costa Rica

During this internship you have the opportunity to explore one of the most remote regions of the Costa Rican rainforest on the Caribbean Coast and play a vital role in the development and management of the long-term wildlife conservation of the Tortuguero National Park. You will work upon vital conservation projects, including conducting marine turtle monitoring and conservation, jaguar predation and abundance research, canal bird monitoring, and mammal camera trapping. Working alongside a dedicated staff supervisor to ensure you maximize your placement, cultural and learning activities, this internship allows you to make a real difference to conservation while also gaining invaluable hands on practical experience in a variety of fields including project management and team leadership.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, stories from the field, video diaries and more at the programs media centre

Everyone I knew back home told me that it was going to be a life changing experience and I believed them to an extent but I did not expect to get so much out of this trip.

Caroline Holderfield, GVI Intern

What Difference Does This Internship Make?

GVI continue to increase knowledge of jaguars and their predation of marine turtles, through active management have achieved massive reductions in marine turtle nest poaching, and help monitor populations of birds, marine turtles and large mammals. In the past year we have presented work at the highest level to conferences around the world, including the Mesoamerican Society of Biology and Conservation, the International Sea Turtle Symposium and the congress of the Society of Conservation Biology. Together with increasing the scientific knowledge of the area, GVI Costa Rica have been invited to act in consultation with MINAET over their latest management plan for the Wildlife Refuge and to present information to other researchers and University groups. Our National Scholarship Programme has helped several nationals gain employment in ecotourism and conservation.

Highlights

Getting the chance to go on this unique adventure in a Costa Rican National Park; enjoying life at the research station; learning about the wildlife and their habitat; seeing unique wildlife in marine and coastal rainforest environments, including turtles, monkeys, neo-tropical birds and amphibians; exploring the area by boat and canoe, including remote Caribbean beaches, joining the research team to undertake turtle nesting surveys and monitor nesting sites; participating on jaguar surveys; setting up and checking camera traps.

Skills And Qualifications Received

Amongst many others:

• Internationally recognised qualification in Team Leading (BTEC Award level 2)
• First Aid & CPR training (certification optional)
• GPS, marine radio and camera trap use
• Wildlife identification skills
• Tropical forest ecology
• Wildlife biology and conservation
• Time management and interpersonal skills
• Cooking for large groups
• Canoe and kayaking skills

Numerous scientific techniques are taught depending on season and what work is being conducted, these can include:

• Collection of biometric data.
• Transect work, Direct counts and incidental observations.
• Tourist & human impact surveys.
• Camera trapping and track identification.
• Work with endangered and critically endangered species.
• Data entry.
• Manipulation and presentation.
• Internationally recognised qualification in Biological Survey Techniques (optional BTEC Award level 3).

See Requirements And Training page for more information

Location

If you are looking to go on an adventure to explore rainforests and tropical beaches seeing mesmerising terrestrial and marine wildlife, this is definitely the programme for you! The biological station is surrounded on three sides by stunning National Park rainforest and the Caribbean sea and beach to the front, which is the largest rookery in the Western Hemisphere for the endangered green sea turtle. You will spend your time surrounded by the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of the rich canals, tropical rainforest and Caribbean beaches. There is no road access to the region, so all transportation is via canoe and motor boat, through the stunning canals and rivers surrounded by tropical rainforest and its associated wildlife.


See Life on the internship page for more information

Field Conditions

Accommodation is pleasantly rustic and dormitory-style, in a beautiful clearing of the forest which has wildlife viewing opportunities that are second to none! All food will be prepared by the expedition team on a rotational basis, and basic but typically local food will be the staple diet. There is a generator for electricity part of the day in the main buildings, hand-washing laundry facilities, and running (cold) water, which means there are flushing toilets and refreshingly cool showers.


See Life on the internship page for more information