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The Cape Verde nesting population of Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), which is the third largest population in the world after the nesting populations of Oman and Southeast Florida, is particularly threatened. There the females are currently being killed by poachers for their meat when they come ashore to nest. Boavista, with roughly 50 kilometers of sandy beaches, is probably the largest remaining nesting area of Caretta caretta in Cape Verde. During the 2007 nesting season (June to October) approximately 12,000 -15,000 nests were built and about 1,000 female sea turtles were killed. 

The Turtle Foundation has worked out a plan to protect Boa-vista´s nesting beaches from poaching during the years to come. During the 2008 nesting season we conducted a pilot project at Boavista´s east coast, where we protected a 15 km stretch of beach with the support of the Cape Verde military through nocturnal patrols. Whereas in 2007 there were about 600 animals slaughtered on this particular beach, as a result of our beach patrols in 2008 we reduced the number of sea turtles killed by 90%! 

It´s our plan to expand our protection work to other highly threatened beaches at the northern shores. 

Possible duties for volunteers will be: 

- Participate on nocturnal beach patrols (beach walks together with soldiers from Cape Verde) 
- Conduct morning surveys on the nesting beaches (during the day; by foot or by vehicle) and working out routes for the patrols 
- Supporting the project management collecting data (by day or by night) 
- Provide assistance to tour guides and tourists who may be present at the beach at night 
- Helping to develop and organize public events and PR- arrangements 
- Participate in all activities organized by the Turtle Foundation staff, such as beach clean-ups 
- Helping the project staff with everyday's chores such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, driving) 

Requirements 

- Physically in good condition and good health 
- Being able to work in remote areas under basic conditions 
- Able to converse in English and/or basic knowledge in portuguese (or spanish) 
- Available for a minimum of 2 weeks 
Minimum age of 18 
- Travel insurance

Organisation: The Turtle Foundation 
Salary: Volunteer 
Location: Boavista Island, Cape Verde 
Position Type: Volunteer/Temporary 
Part/Full Time: Part Time 
Closing Date: 15 Oct 09 
Website: www.turtle-foundation.org 
Contact: Joana Hancock 
Contact Email: hancock@turtle-foundation.org