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| Viewing: Volunteer with turtles in Ghana |
Package ID: 1583 |
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| Volunteer with turtles in Ghana |
Protect nesting turtles and educate the local community about conservation
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There are three types of sea turtle nesting on the beaches in Ghana: the Olive Ridley, the Leatherback and the Green Turtle. All of these turtles are endangered species, and it is very important that we protect these fascinating creatures from the dangers they face. The Ghana Wildlife Society is worried that given the current rate of killing the turtles, they will soon be extinct. Volunteers will play an extremely important role in the protection of turtles and in the long term conservation Ghana’s wildlife.
The volunteers responsibilities are diverse, but will include beach patrols, collecting eggs and releasing hatchlings, research, and educating locals on the importance of protecting their wildlife from extinction.
The conservation area is a five kilometer stretch of palm fringed beach. Female turtles emerge from the sea at night to lay their eggs on the beach, which leaves them in a vulnerable position. Volunteers will patrol the beach to monitor turtle nesting and to prevent the female from being disturbed whilst laying.
The project is located in a coastal fishing and farming community in the most south-westerly part of Ghana. Volunteers stay in simple dormitory huts, the camp is a relaxed beach-side environment where volunteers can unwind after a day of working on the Turtle project and meet new friends. Volunteer placements start on the first Saturday of each month.
A day in the life of a volunteer
Wake up at 4.30am & patrol the beach with Ghanaian Turtle Patrol partner until 6am. Complete the research record sheet during the patrol, recording any turtle nests you see and any tracks that are evidence that a turtle came up to nest that night. Observe and record any hatching baby turtles. Count the number of babies and help any stragglers reach the sea. Return to beach camp for breakfast. Spend time writing up the data you collected from the previous night and that morning’s patrol. Time to discuss observations and data collection with other turtle conservation volunteers.
Walk into the village to visit one of the primary schools and take part in environmental education. Take a small group of children out of class for a turtle education lesson. For example, show the children pictures of different species of turtle found in Ghana and help them learn to identify the different types. Then get the children to do their own drawing of a turtle.
Return to beach camp for lunch then free time for relaxing and socializing with other volunteers; playing games on the beach, swimming, reading or having a nap. Have dinner then time for resting or journal writing.
Take part in the Turtle Night Patrol shift from 9pm - midnight, joining your Ghanaian Turtle Patrol partner to walk the beach to search for nesting turtles. Take any tourists on a guided night walk informing them about the turtles and turtle research you are doing. Complete the research monitoring forms, recording the number of turtles seen, the size, time etc and marking their location on a map of the beach, before returning to beach camp for a well deserved sleep.
What is included
Pre-departure support and discounted services
Transport from pick up point to project site and back at end of project
Welcome and orientation session
Three meals a day
Full accommodation
All in country 24-hour support
All training materials.
Minimum Participation age is 18 years old
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