Wildlife Research and Monitoring Volunteer Program

Bird Team

The Las Piedras Amazon Center bird research team is responsible for undertaking early morning point-count censuses of understory birds along pre-established trails, as well as mist-net capture,banding/ringing, sound recording and call ID, and recording incidental encounters with any bird species.

Here are some regular bird research team tasks:

• Each day help carry and set up mist-nets along trail systems and transects
• Head out at around 5:00 am every morning to monitor the nets and help to carefully process the birds caught, before releasing them safely back into the wild
• Observe and learn about extraction of birds from mist-nets, rapid ‘in-hand’ processing and banding techniques, tips and tricks for identification of Neotropical bird species, ageing through use of molt cycles/limits, and safe release. (Las Piedras Amazon Center volunteers would not generally handle wild birds unless they have previous experience, or if the coordinator is very confident that the volunteer is capable of doing so without bringing harm to the animal).
• Photograph captured birds for future identification and field guides
• Walk an average of 5 km of trails and transects, or head out on canoes or catamarans on alternate days to observe and record birds, and take data of all sightings (VES/Point Counts)
• Machete use – maintain existing transects and trails and on occasion cut new ones for mist-net placement
• Enter data of the research into a computer and help the coordinator analyse this data
• Assist other researchers and research teams (mammal, herpetofauna, insects, plants) with their work if there is spare time and energy left

Herpetofauna Team

The Las Piedras Amazon Center herp research team is responsible for maintaining a number of 1-hectare plots in which they undertake day and night surveys using line-transects and squarequadrat searches, as well as intensive species searches in habitats not sampled by these methods, such as bamboo thickets and a swamp or two(!), in order to identify the presence of reptile and amphibian species. The Las Piedras Amazon Center herp research team has proven to be the most likely team to find new species and species range extensions, and they currently take data on 230+ herpetofauna species.

Here are some regular herpetofauna conservation research team tasks:

• Daily monitoring of research plots for herpetofauna, once during late morning and again either before or after dinner to collect data
• Occasionally walk to (and through) swamp, stream and lakeside habitats to search for species that might not be found within research plots
• Build and maintain herpetofauna pitfall traps and check them daily
• Maintain existing transects and on occasions open new ones with machetes
• Assist in the careful handling of snakes, frogs, lizards and sometimes caiman and turtles in order to identify, process and photograph them before release
• Enter data of the above research into the project computers and assist the coordinator with analysis
• Assist other researchers and research teams (bird, mammal, insects, plants) with their work if there is spare time and energy left

Mammal Team

The Las Piedras Amazon Center mammal research team is responsible for undertaking line-transect surveys in the early morning, afternoon, and occasionally at night, and for maintaining a series of footprint traps and remote camera traps which are sensitive to the heat and motion of animals, as well as recording the presence and absence of more habitat-specific species in areas not directly sampled by these methods. The Las Piedras Amazon Center mammal research team is currently taking data on 40+ mammal species across its key study sites. Here are some regular mammal research team tasks:

• Walk approx. 7 km of trail systems and transects slowly each day, starting the first session at 5:30 am, to check for mammals and take down data of sightings
• Occasionally walk trails and transects at night to census nocturnal mammals
• Create and check mammal footprint traps daily
• Maintain existing trails and on occasions open new ones
• Set up heat- and motion-sensing camera traps and download images every few days
• Enter data of the above research into the project computers
• Assist other researchers and research teams (bird, herpetofauna, insects, plants) with their work if there is spare time and energy left

The Las Piedras Amazon Center (LPAC) has been designed to cater for field research, conservation tours, expeditions and learning programs. It has a rustic Medicine Man-style charm. For those who love to experience nature and raw wilderness in rustic comfort, this is the perfect place for immersion into the wild. The center is located near beautiful streams and waterfalls. It’s surrounded by over 50km of trail networks and research transects. The camp is comfortable and sustainable with raised camping platforms covered by up-cycled advertising billboards, a large 2-story central work/dining area and a fully-equipped kitchen. There is running water, limited electricity (4-5 hours a day), outdoor and indoor showers, western and composting toilets. The camp can hold up to 50 guests at a time. There is NO internet or cellular phone network. The center operates as a non-profit business, where 100% of income is used to improve infrastructure, pay dedicated conservation and research staff and expand ARCAmazon’s conservation reach.

See more about LPAC here.

Who We Are:

ARCAmazon is a Peruvian non-profit organization that is committed to protecting and conserving Peru’s Amazon Rainforest; its valuable natural resources, its function in reducing climate change, its biodiversity and indigenous peoples. ARCAmazon’s team of experts have been active in Peru’s Madre de Dios region since the 90’s. They have trained thousands of volunteers and interns from all around the world, encouraging many to go on to become professionals in the environmental sector. Our team is constantly gaining knowledge and experience of the complex relationships between humans and the rainforest environment. This helps us to refine our conservation strategies and essentially become more effective over time. We lead and support research on themes from biodiversity to ethnobotany, socio-economics to sustainable business, agro-forestry to permaculture and conservation. ARCAmazon believes in the importance of sharing data with land owners, policy makers, NGOs and businesses, to help encourage all parties to take a stake in protecting this critical part of the planet.

The Amazon Rainforest in Peru is the perfect environment for aspiring researchers and wildlife enthusiasts to gain invaluable knowledge and skills while making a difference on the front-lines of ecosystem and biodiversity conservation. The work we do requires energy and enthusiasm of many. We are looking for people from all nations, races, sexuality, ethnicity, ages, beliefs and interests to get involved. All we ask for is that you bring passion, respect, love and a desire to take action for good, to save one of the last truly wild frontiers on the planet.

This is what we cover for you, using your fee:

• Transfers on arrival and departure at Puerto Maldonado (airport, bus station or hotel)
• Scheduled transport to and from the field
• Shared lodging from start to end of the program (in the field and Puerto Maldonado)
• Full board – three substantial and healthy 2-course meals each day
• Clean drinking water, tea, coffee and refreshments at all times
• Limited use of electricity generator each day (4-5 hours)
• General support and training: Health & Safety; trail use and orienteering, basic jungle survival, basic ecology, impacts and challenges affecting the forests in Madre de Dios; research and conservation solutions for the rainforests in Madre de Dios
• Specialized training (depending on the program)
• Personal supervision by an experienced field coordinator (2-6 participants per coordinator)
• Care and support from an experienced logistics and administration team based at the ARCAmazon head office in Puerto Maldonado
• Weekly excursions (macaw and parrot clay-lick, boat rides, mini-expeditions, hikes, waterfalls, community social events, sports, etc.)
• The experience of one of the most spectacular natural environments on Earth with alongside a highly trained and fun team of conservationists

What is not included:

• Travel insurance (compulsory for all participants)
• Flights and/or bus tickets to and from Puerto Maldonado
• Spending money for snacks, drinks and souvenirs
• Personal equipment (headlamp, bug repellent, binoculars etc.)
• Participants may prefer to bring their own tent if they would like to camp instead of share accomodation with others
• Add-ons (Tours to Machu Picchu, Cusco and other parts of Peru, full expeditions, lazy river experience, remote native community visit, etc.) – please inquire on application