Project Life
Volunteer with Humpback Whales in Brazil

Volunteer work is split into a number of different categories:

1) Research / Data Collection

You will assist in all aspects of the data collection, which includes collecting information on whale behaviour, picture identification, collecting biopsies and bio-acoustic monitoring. Through photo-identification (a technique consisting of obtaining and cataloguing pictures of the ventral surface of the whales’ tails), we have already identified more than 500 individuals.

2) Environmental Education

You will be involved with environmental information and education - with the local communities and visitors alike – through receiving school groups, visits to schools and other social programs, sometimes theatre presentations, assisting in the visitor centre or other activities planned. There is also the Coastal Patrol, a group of local residents and state school students aged between 12 and 16. These ‘mini-environmentalists’ are being capacitated with information about the whales, the marine ecosystem and the importance of preserving it. They will act as information disseminators among tourists and the resident population.

3) Whale Watching Cruises

You will help out on these cruises by educating people about the need for whale research and conservation through the talks given to tourists before the cruises and while onboard the tourist vessels.

4) Beached / Sick Whales

In the event that there is a beached or an ill whale, volunteers will be expected to help out.

5) Administration

You will also get a feel for the work that goes on in the project offices, and assist with general data entry duties / new ideas for fundraising / marketing.