Project Life
Volunteer with Pink River Dolphins in Brazil

Sample one week itinerary:

A typical week consists of six working days and one day of rest. A working day involves two different itineraries for an ‘AM’ team and a ‘PM’ team, the membership of which is decided during the previous evening. The AM team have an early start (up at dawn – 0600 – and out on the water by 0645) and 5-7 hours of observations. This team normally gets back to base for a late lunch, takes a siesta during the hottest hours of the day, and spends the afternoon resting and entering data into our project laptop. This team has the responsibility of preparing the evening meal. Those folks not involved in the morning observations, the PM team, have the option of another hour in bed, then have several hours in which to do some housekeeping chores, prepare lunch and otherwise enjoy some leisure time. After their siesta, the rested PM people take a boat out for 3-4 hours, returning just before dark (i.e. about 1830). They then enter their data into the database before joining everyone else in the evening meal. After dinner, the evenings are spent chatting, writing or reading, before people retire for the night at around 2100-2200. We find that the heat and boat work is quite tiring, so people need more sleep here than in a normal environment.

The rest day is normally Sunday. Apart from preparing food and catching up on any outstanding data entry work, everyone is free to do what they want. A dawn walk or paddle along a forest trail (depending on the season) is a favourite occupation, but there is scope for fishing, birdwatching, dolphin-watching or just lazing around.

Group Dynamics / Supervision:

Supervision of the work, the base and the volunteers is the responsibility of the senior team member present. Most of the time this will be an experienced intern, but sometimes one or both Principal Investigators (PIs – Drs Vera da Silva and Tony Martin) will be present. Interns are normally from Brazil or another South American country, aged in their late 20s and of post-graduate status. At least one team member, and often two, speaks English, as do both PIs. The group size on the floating base is always small and we have as few rules as possible to ensure smooth running of the operation. No two research teams are the same, and we always strive to select people who will work well and be happy in a small community. The one permanent member of the field team, and the most important, is a local called Edinho. He has remarkably sharp eyes, an encyclopaedic knowledge of every marked dolphin, knows every nook and cranny of the reserve, and is an all-round nice guy. Apart from being chief observer, Edinho takes care of our boats and engines, and usually drives the boat for the morning shift.

At high water, excursions into the forest are made by dugout. At other times of year, you can walk on cleared trails. Exotic, spectacular wildlife is around you on all sides, 24 hrs a day. The only rule we have is ‘no smoking’; to preserve team harmony and prevent the risk of fire in a wooden house with fuel containers on board.

What is the Climate Like?

Hot and humid throughout the year. Nights are relatively cool on the water. The rainfall is greatest between January and March (rainy season), but no month has less than 60 mm. Rain usually falls in relatively short – but very heavy – tropical showers, often accompanied by spectacular thunderstorms. Average temperatures range from 23 °C to 33 °C.

Life in the Reserve

The activities at Mamirauá give volunteers ample opportunity to observe wildlife. The observation of wildlife is easy throughout the year, but the species observed will differ per season. The dry season (September to March) offers the rich spectacle of fish and their predators concentrating in the remaining water. In the mysterious flooded season (April to August), you will pass under the crowns of the trees on a canoe and observe mid-tree species such as orchids and tree sloth at close range.

For those interested in insects, reptiles, amphibians and botany, Mamirauá is a true paradise. During outings you will probably see bands of red howler monkeys (whose dawn concerts will wake you up), the scarlet-faced white Uakari (flag species of the reserve), capuchin and squirrel monkeys, many birds species, caimans during the dry season and Amazon pink river dolphins in the water.

There is a difference of 12 metres between June (flooded) and October (dry season). Depending on the water level tours in the forest you will transported on foot or in a small wooden canoe. Trails are specially designed for the observation of wildlife, not trekking. All trails are easy for anyone who can walk up to two hours on flat terrain. There will also be opportunities to buy handicrafts made by the local people and souvenirs during village visits.

In addition to your work as a volunteer, you will have some free time (project work permitting) to enjoy the other activities that Mamirauá offers and, if you are lucky, to gain some exposure to some of the other volunteer projects which are taking place throughout the reserve. For a list of other project opportunities please refer to the link below entitled ‘Related Courses and Projects’.