Research Assistants are needed for the 2002 leatherback nesting season at
Pacuare Nature Reserve, Costa Rica.

Period: March 2002 - August 2002 (Exact dates to bedetermined)

Location: Pacuare Nature Reserve, Barra Matina, Costa Rica

Background Information: Pacuare Nature Reserve has 6 km ofbeach and is
dedicated to conservation of endangered sea turtles and theirhabitat. In
1994, Pacuare was found to be an important nesting site for theleatherback
sea turtle (Dermocheleys coriacea). A program wasestablished to monitor the
status of the nesting population and protect nestingfemales through research
and education. Joint protection efforts involve theenvironmental unit of the
Costa Rican Coast Guard. Leatherback nesting beginsin late February and
continues until June with peak nesting in April and May.Green (Chelonia
mydas) activity begins in July through September.

Duties: Four research assistants (RA's) are needed. The mainresponsibilities
of the RAs will be nightly beach patrols (tagging, biometricdata collection,
possible relocation of nests), nest monitoring and excavation,hatchery
management and involvement in planning activities and lectures forstudent
groups. RAs will rotate between the north and south stations of thebeach.

Requirements: Monitoring is done during the night along thebeach and often
under harsh weather conditions. Excellent physical condition isa
requirement. Education and/orinterest in biology or related fields and
knowledge of Spanish is a plus.

If you are interested in the position, please send a coverletter, resume,
exact dates available and knowledge of Spanish to: Leatherbacks@...

Thank you,

Belinda Dick
Research Coordinator
Pacuare Nature Reserve