Track and survey bottlenose dolphins in Mediterranean waters to help scientists understand and combat the main threats to them and their ecosystem.

Track and survey bottlenose dolphins in Mediterranean waters to help scientists understand and combat the main threats to them and their ecosystem.

Based in the charming Greek village of Vonitsa on the Amvrakikos Gulf, you’ll have the opportunity to experience traditional village life as you help researchers conduct daily surveys on the area's bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). From a small research vessel, you’ll scan the water for signs of dolphin activity. Your team will search for dolphins and once found, you will follow them, and record information on their numbers, group composition, behaviour, movement patterns and interactions with the area’s fishing industry. The research team identifies individual dolphins by looking at distinguishing natural marks such as scars, bite marks, nicks, and notches in their dorsal fins. You will find yourself in the middle of a dolphin group, occasionally including calves or newborns. Dolphins often approach the research boat to bowride, even when the boat is moving slowly, so you’ll have a chance to see them up close and if you get lucky you might even hear their echolocation clicks and whistles.
Back at the field station, you’ll help enter data and prepare digital images of these dorsal fins to compare them and match them with the project catalogue to identify which individuals where seen in the field. Your days will start early, but you will have some free time each afternoon for resting or otherwise enjoying the quiet coast.WWW.COMPREOALQUILE.INFO