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Peru Coastal Dolphin Research

Dolphin killing in Peru does not have its roots in tradition, but as a result of increased poverty. In order to create protective environment’s for Peru’s dolphin populations, this project aims to establish opportunities for local fishermen that help dolphins become more valuable as a protected species than as a hunted one.

It is vital for us to study the local dolphin populations in order to develop the potential of dolphin-watching tourism along the Peruvian coast. In addition, these studies provide critical data to creating a scientific base line, enabling the project to monitor the environmental impact of “dolphin watching” itself on one hand and the success of the project’s conservation work on the other.

You won’t need any special skills as a volunteer. The project’s research team will train you fully for the project once you arrive. Although our field staff do speak English, knowing some Spanish will, of course, be to your advantage in communicating with local fishermen.

We would like the project volunteers to be open to new adventures, fully dedicated to the objectives of the project, and happy to live in a simple environment, in close and constant contact with nature.

Volunteer Role

You will add directly to this project by monitoring and studying local populations of coastal bottlenose dolphins with our research team.

Typical tasks include:

You will be trained to photo-identify individual dolphins
Record data on the location and behaviour of local dolphin populations
Observe other marine wildlife such as sea lions, sea turtles, Humbolt penguins, and marine otters.

Project Location

During the primary phase of the program you will be based at the fisherman’s port of Pucusana as an operational base, 70kilometers south of Lima. The second area is the Bay of Paracas in the north of the Paracas National Reserve.

Accommodation and Meals

You will stay in very basic hotel accommodation for the length of the project, shared with other staff and volunteers at the project. You will have hot water, western style toilets, electricity, and laundry facilities. All your meals are provided.

Programme Overview

Duration & Price:
18 days volunteering - $2469/€1929,
4 weeks - $3039/€2369,

How to book & pay:
Secure with £175 deposit. The balance is due 10 wks before departure.

What is included?
All accommodation (shared)
Most meals
Personally met at lima airport
A detailed orientation on arrival
All project related transport
24 hour emergency help
Full support prior to departure
Detailed information pack

What is not included?
Flights
Extra activities not on itinerary
Travel Insurance
Visas
Vaccination-related costs
Any applicable airport taxes

Programme Summary:
As a volunteer, you will directly contribute to this dolphin conservation program by monitoring and studying local populations of coastal bottlenose dolphins along with our research team.
Arrival dates:
4 weeks programme with dolphins and whales
2007: 2nd Jun, 30th Jun, 4th Aug and 29th Sept 2008: 5th Jan

18 day programme with dolphins
2007: 31st Mar, 1st Sept, 3rd Nov and 1st Dec