Monitoring whale shark populations
Project name:
East African Whale Shark Trust
Project purpose:
Monitoring whale shark populations
Project activities:
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community awareness
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data collection/analysis
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teaching
Weekly cost (approx USD):
$
187
Direct benefits you gain:
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cultural integration
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data/statistical skills
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field research skills
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remote scenic location
Noteworthy conservation points:
Wild Sun Rescue Center
Accommodation:
Shared accommodation on the beach
When does the project run?
Facilities:
accommodation included, food included, kitchen facilities, 2 minute walk from local restaurants, post office, nearby medical centre
How long can I stay?
Requirements:
It will be helpful but not essential if you have a marine science background, have a diving licence, have a driving licence and are happy in the water.
Details of the day-to-day life on the project:
Volunteer activities
All our volunteer programmes include accommodation, training, studying whale shark behaviour, physiology and movement, whale shark safaris, education workshops and more! Volunteers
What will you do?
Help with the education programme in schools and hotels, assist with fundraising, assist with data collection and analysis, assist the guides on whale shark safaris, help in the Fibre-Glass Turtle workshop
Scheduling
1 – 3 month programmes at a cost of $750 per month. Weekly costs are also available. Whale shark season runs from Oct – March, peak being Feb – March. In the off season, focus is on research, education and community projects. Activities such as safaris and mountain climbing are available and encouraged during days off.
Research
Monitoring, tagging and satellite tracking working in tandem with Universeum and Chalmers University in Sweden and Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute in the US among others to create a wider knowledge data base on the whale shark. Remarkably little is known about the biggest fish in the ocean. It is unknown where whale sharks go to breed or whether global populations are related.Their migration patterns remain a mystery
There is also a turtle and a fisherman project.
Reviews & ratings
Francisco
Volunteer
19 Dec 2021
An amazing project with amazing staff
I work as a travel agent, bringing volunteers to DAKTARI and other projects around the world. After helping a lot of volunteers fulfill their dreams of coming to South Africa, I managed to arrange 2 weeks to spend at the project. What a wonderful time I had starting with the staff who are so friendly and polite, the animals being taken care of as if they were family and the amazing food that was prepared catering to each of the volunteers individual needs. I can only say that if you are looking for an unique and quality experience involving a well thought out educational program and the preservation of native animal species, this is the one for you.
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Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage
leslie
Volunteer
19 Dec 2021
great experience
i had an enjoyable stay here in DAKTARI. be surrounded by wild animals is a chance and i also loved the teaching part of my stay
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Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage
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