Wildlife conservation expedition to the Amazon

Live with the Shiwiars in Amazon base in Ecuador

Description: The Shiwiar people belong to the same cultural and linguistic tradition as the Achuar and Shuar. Their territory is one of the most pristine and isolated places in the Amazon basin, located near the Peruvian border and accessible only by air. The primary forest is blessed with remarkable levels of biodiversity. Their population of seven hundred is scattered around nine different villages within the area. There have been few intrusions into their territory and they have only recently made contact with the western world (because of the Peruvian war in 1941).

This is your chance to discover an unspoilt region of the Amazon rainforest, to really leave the beaten track behind and to immerse yourself in a culture that belongs to the forest. You can experience the incredible biodiversity of the area, and find real warmth without luxuries. What makes this project different is that it offers you the rare opportunity to escape the false 'ecotourism' trap, where community events are staged and the business is own by foreigners, channelling profits into their businesses not back into local hands. But not here. They are completely self-managed and locally owned. You will not be invading or disrupting their culture but helping to preserve it. This project offers you a wonderful opportunity to experience the jungle as it is, but more importantly to give something back to a community.

They would like volunteers to help with many tasks including:

- Teaching English to their local tribe
- Helping on guided tours (translation etc)
- Medial tasks
- Hosting tourists
- Accountancy
- Construction
- First aid (qualifications needed)
- Research opportunities
- Tourism
- Flora and Fauna studies
- Community tourism
- Community development
- Ecologycal Aviation Project.
- Web master.

VOLUNTEER TRAVEL –WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
You are looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world is most important conservation areas-and in community project – Then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.

HOW THIS HOLIDAY MAKES A DIFFERENCE?

The Juyuintsa reserve is assisted in this management by FUNSSIF, an Ecuadorian NGO for indigenous people. The expedition is a biodiversity research expedition working in conjunction with local community projects and research findings will help to more effectively manage and conserve this endangered habitat. Local people are employed at the camp, and food is sourced locally. Volunteers will be heavily involved with liaising with the local communities and setting up education initiatives.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOLUNTEER
Want to live and work somewhere truly remote? Accessible only by aircraft and based on tributary of the might y Amazon river, this expedition in the Juyuintsa reserve in Ecuador is a biodiversity research programme working in conjunction with local community projects. Volunteers will have the opportunity to live in a remote and beautiful part of the tropics, to study rare and endangered species, to work alongside the local community and to be based deep in the Amazon jungle! Base camp is 30 meters from the banks of the river in a cleared area within the rainforest . It consists of open- sided cabins providing basic conditions for sleeping, eating and fresh river water showers.

A typical day begins at 4.45am (well before dawn). After a quick breakfast, 3 different teams set off into the forest. The forest is still dark and we walk in silence using our head torches to find our way. The birds start singing as we walk towards different areas of our research site. The sounds of the forest waking up are unforgettable and you are likely to hear sounds of Dusky Titi monkeys and Howler monkeys bringing the new day in with their haunting calls. The Point Count team stop at their first destination to record the dawn chorus before moving on to another station where they carry on recording. Meanwhile, the Mammal and Bird transect team have walked to a different point so as not to interfere with the recordings and they begin their slow 2km long transect, recording all birds and mammals seen, and those who can be identified by their calls. A trail clearing team will be in another part of the research site, starting work to expand the transect system by creating new trails and tagging them to aid navigation.

The Point Count team, having finished their recordings, return to camp for a coffee break before beginning a full day of data analysis. The other 2 teams remain in the forest all morning, returning to camp for a late lunch at around 1pm.

A typical transect walk may include sightings and sounds of many bird species; for example toucans, guans, antbirds, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers. The sightings of mammals may include several species of monkey including the rare Saki monkey, Saddle Back Tamarins, and squirrels. In addition we may also see tracks of many mammal species including the elusive tapir, peccary and potentially wild cats.

After lunch the tired teams will be involved in data collation using the FUNSSIF library for reference. Other afternoon activities may include assisting local staff in the kitchen, fishing, and community projects such as constructing new buildings. The end of the day sees volunteers jumping into the creek surrounding camp to wash off the days grime and cool down. This rounds of the day in a relaxing manner and is a great opportunity to chat about the days events.

After dinner we pack our bags, sharpen our machetes and prepare ourselves for the next day, another day of adventure in the jungle! Throughout any given phase, our science routine is interrupted sometimes for short excursions to places of interest and adventure experiences. These may include nocturnal boat rides, survival treks, trips to beautiful oxbow lakes, visiting mammal and bird clay-licks and camping out at satellite camps in the forest.

Organization: BUGYU TOURS / ikiam Expedition and Conservation Program
Address: Amazon basin, Ecuador
Project Location: Amazon basin, located near the Peruvian border
Contact: Executive Director- Pascual Kunchicuy
Email: fundacionshiwiar@yahoo.es / ikiamp21@hotmail.com
Website: www.ikiam.info / www.bugyu-tours.com
Phone: (00593) 98156132 / 90991941
Fax: (5932) 886-109
Languages: English, Spanish and French
Who can volunteer? Adults of both sexes and groups.
Commitment: 1 month, 6 months or 1 year
Cost: US$15 per day/per person; for food and accommodation, gasoline, and we pay local coordinator.
Flight rate: $ 350 / 700 per person.

PROJECT LOCATION.


Mapa territorio Shiwiar	Mapa Juyuintsa