Dolphin and Whale Research Centre - South Africa

from  £2290

Dolphin and Whale Research Centre

Ref:

GYC 613

Countries:

South Africa

Duration:

from 2 Weeks

  

more info:

click here

 

This placement would suit:

Those with an interest in marine research, marine biology, marine mammals and birds.

 

Duration details:

Stay for anything from 2 - 12 weeks

 

    

Product Details

The Dolphin and Whale Research Centre (DWRC) is based in the spectacular Plettenberg Bay, which is fast becoming the "Whale and Dolphin Capital of the Garden Route" in South Africa, and the breeding ground for dolphins and whales.

The primary mission of the DWRC is to gather information on all marine mammal, and particularly dolphin species, inhabiting the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Secondly, to co-ordinate and integrate multidisciplinary research on the behaviour, ecology, taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, toxicology, parasitology, conservation and management of these marine mammals. The coordinator of the project, Dr Vic Cockroft, has more than 25 years experience and was formerly marine mammal curator of the Port Elizabeth Museum. He is renowned in scientific circles for his research and expertise in the field of dolphins and whales along the East African coast.

The main part of the programme is to give you the opportunity to take part and learn research techniques used in the research projects outlined below. Assistance with the education programme for school groups and under privileged children is also part of the programme.

Research Projects include:

1. Bottlenose and Humpback Dolphin occurrence, movements, numbers and habitat use in the Plettenberg Bay area. Individual bottlenose dolphins are identified by their dorsal fins. Much information can be found by following the individual animals, for example; population size, movement patterns, individual and group associations, home range and habitat preference. Photo-identification techniques are used to establish the population biology of the dolphins.

2. Humpback whales pass along the shores of the south-eastern SA coast between May and January, during their annual migration. Southern hemisphere humpback whales were hunted extensively until the mid-20th Century and their numbers were drastically reduced. Nevertheless, their numbers are now increasing and more and more of these whales are seen each year, as they migrate to warmer climes to breed and socialise. But, scientists still have no idea of just how many whales there are, where they go to breed and the familial relationships between the whales sighted. Individual humpback whales are photographically identified, their songs are recorded and biopsies are taken for DNA analysis.

3. Southern Right Whale occurrence, movements and numbers along the South African coast. Southern right whales visit the South African coastline from late June to November each year, to calf, mate and socialise. What do they do once they arrive? Do they stay in the same areas? Do they stay together? Do they visit the same areas year after year?

4. Seals on the Robberg peninsular were hunted for their fur and exterminated by 1908. They re-appeared in the early 1990s and there numbers now exceed 3000 in the breeding season. Fishermen in the area are now complaining that as numbers have now substantially recovered, their fish stocks are being dramatically reduced. This section of the project is to scientifically investigate their claim of seal-induced reduction in fish resources, before any decision can be made as to the course of action to be taken.

from  £2290

African Conservation Experience

African Conservation Experience has been sending volunteers to Africa for almost a decade and is the original, most experienced organisation for conservation placements in southern Africa. We can offer you the chance to work on game and nature reserves alongside conservationists, zoologists, wildlife vets and reserve managers.