lunes, 22 de febrero de 2010

Volunteering: Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Lab!

The Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Lab at the University of Southern Mississippi offers an internship to college juniors, seniors and recent graduates. There are three available internship periods each year: Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Interns work on research projects being conducted by faculty members and graduate students, and will gain experience in both behavioral and acoustic data collection and analyses. Specific experiences depend on the research projects that are ongoing at the time of the internship.

Summer 2010 Internship: We will be accepting two interns for this internship period. The primary research being conducted at this time involves field abundance surveys and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins in Mississippi Sound. Applications due March 15th. Anticipated start date is May 1st.

This internship is an unpaid voluntary position, and interns are responsible for arranging their own transportation and housing. Interns are also required to receive college credit for the internship; enrollment may be with The University of Southern Mississippi or an academic institution of their choice.
Students interested in applying for the internship are required to send:

• Complete application form (pdf)
• CV or Résumé
• Letter of intent describing your career goals, reason(s) for wanting the internship, and what you expect to contribute to and gain from the internship
• Unofficial or official copy of your transcripts
• At least two letters of recommendation (preferably from those who can attest to your academic and scientific abilities)
All materials should be sent to:

Internship Coordinator: Courtney Smith
Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Internship
Department of Psychology
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive, # 5025
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5025

Materials may arrive separately or together, all materials must be postmarked by the pertinent deadline: Fall - July 1st; Spring - December 1st; Summer - March 15th

Please direct all information requests and related materials to Courtney Smith at kuczaj_laboratory@yahoo.com.

Best,

Courtney

--
Courtney Smith
MA,PhD Student
Internship Coordinator
Marine Mammal Behavior & Cognition Lab
Experimental Psychology Program
University of Southern Mississippi

Volunteering: orcas in Spain!

The research group CIRCE (http://www.circe.biz) is seeking applications from volunteers to help with fieldwork on killer whale energetic budget in the Strait of Gibraltar. Fieldwork will take place from 5 April to 31 May 2010.

Killer whale project:

The killer whale population of the Strait of Gibraltar has a diet mainly based on Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). This population is believed to be in danger due to the rapid decrease of their prey under human fishing. They usually feed on tuna using an "endurance-exhaustion" technique. This behaviour can be easily observed from 2
land based stations on top of the cliffs off La Breña national park, Andalucia, South of Spain. We wish to collect behavioural and positional data (using binos and theodolite) from these land stations as well as blow rates to assess the energetic budget of this foraging technique.

Volunteers should be available at least for one week study (see http://www.circe.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=103 and http://circe-volunteers-2009.blogspot.com for last year project blog) but long period availability is possible. You will be responsible for your transport to and from the main centre, but once there, we will provide accommodation and transport to the land stations. Food will be at your own expenses.

Successful applicants will:

- have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research
- be autonomous and quickly operational
- be able to live and work constructively with others in a team
- speak fluently English and/or Spanish

Preference will be given to those who:

- have previous experience in theodolite handling, including whale tracking
- have previous relevant marine mammal field experience


Applicants should send an email introducing themselves to ruth/circe-asso.org. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project, your qualifications and previous experience. Please also attach a brief CV.

Applications will be accepted until 15 March although early application is recommended as applications will be examined in order of reception.

For more information, see
http://www.circe.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=103
(also available in Spanish and French) or contact ruth/circe-asso.org.


All the best,


Pauline

miércoles, 3 de febrero de 2010

Actividades: curso CRAM!

Como cada año la Fundación CRAM (www.cram.org) organiza el Curso de Clínica y Manejo de Animales Marinos. Este año celebramos la XII edición y por primera vez los cursos se realizarán del 22 de febrero al 15 de marzo y los alumno de diversas universidades podrán convalidar el curso con créditos de libre elección.

En los archivos adjuntos te hago llegar tanto el programa, como el cartel, como información para hacer la preinscripción y matrícula. El plazo de preinscripción termina el 8 de febrero, por ello, agradeceremos cualquier acción de divulgación que se quiera hacer al respecto.

Para más información no dudes en contactar con la Fundación CRAM: formacion@cram.org
93 7524581

PROGRAMA

Biología de tortugas marinas. Problemas de conservación
Perspectiva general de la ecología y Dinámica de poblaciones de la tortuga boba (Caretta caretta). Hábitats y amenazas de esta especie en Mediterráneo.

Anatomía, Fisiología y Adaptaciones al medio de tortugas marinas
Características anatómicas específicas de la tortuga boba del Mediterráneo. Adaptaciones evolutivas de estas especies para desenvolverse en el medio marino.

Exploración, diagnóstico, Técnicas Quirúrgicas en tortugas marinas
Partes del examen físico general en tortugas marinas, técnicas diagnósticas (radiografía, ecografía, resonancia magnética...), procedimientos clínicos y tratamientos de las patologías frecuentes.

Necropsia de tortuga marina
Taller práctico de análisis postmortem de una tortuga boba. Descripción de los pasos a seguir, instrumental necesario y anatomía práctica.

Biología de cetáceos. Problemas de conservación
Identificación de especies, hábitats y ecología de los cetáceos del Mediterráneo. Descripción de las principales amenazas que afectan a su supervivencia.

Anatomía, fisiología y adaptaciones al medio de los cetáceos
Características anatómicas específicas de los cetáceos del Mediterráneo. Adaptaciones evolutivas de estas especies para desenvolverse en el medio marino.

Actuación Frente a cetáceos varados. Exploración y diagnóstico.
Protocolo de asistencia frente al varamiento de un cetáceo y técnicas de exploración clínica.

Simulacro de rescate de un delfín.
Taller práctico de actuación frente a un varamiento de delfín: exploración física, tratamiento inicial y material necesario para el rescate.

Manipulación y exploración de tortugas marinas
Descripción de las técnicas de manejo necesarias para la asistencia de estos animales. Explicación de técnicas de exploración mínimamente invasivas.

Zoonosis
Descripción de las enfermedades más comunes que los animales marinos pueden contagiar a los humanos y métodos de prevención.

Caso Prestige
Protocolo de actuación frente a un vertido de crudo en el medio marino. Conclusiones extraídas de la experiencia práctica en el caso Prestige.

Hematología y prácticas de laboratorio
Taller práctico de analítica sanguínea e identificación celular en Caretta caretta. Alteraciones hematológicas y su interpretación clínica.

Necropsia de un delfín
Taller práctico de análisis postmortem de un delfín listado (Stenella coeruolealba). Descripción de los pasos a seguir, instrumental necesario y anatomía práctica.

Biología y conservación en Aves Marinas
Perspectiva general de la ecología y Dinámica de poblaciones las aves marinas amenazadas del mediterráneo. Hábitats, amenazas e identificación de especies.

La recuperació de les aus marines
El rescat, trasllat i condicionament dels animals. Maneig de les aus. Alimentació. Normes de seguretat. Exploració, diagnòstic i tractament. Casos d’animals tractats. L’alliberament al seu hàbitat natural.

Pesquerías y artes de pesca. Normativas e impactos.
Descripción de las diferentes técnicas pesqueras utilizadas en nuestras costas y sus efectos en ecosistemas y las especies marinas amenazadas. Legislación vigente.

Mesa redonda con pescadores
Punto de encuentro entre investigadores y profesionales de la pesca para dinamizar la comunicación entre ambos colectivos.

Elasmobranquis (peixos cartilaginosos)
Biologia i problemes de conservació. Identificació de les principals espècies de la Mediterrània. Hàbitats i principals amenaces.

Anatomía, fisiología, adaptaciones al medio de aves marinas. Exploración, diagnóstico y técnicas quirúrgicas.
Características anatómicas específicas de las aves marinas amenazadas del Mediterráneo. Descripción de técnicas exploratorias, diagnósticas y tratamientos de las principales patologías.

Necropsia de ave marina.
Taller práctico de análisis postmortem de un ave marina. Descripción de los pasos a seguir, instrumental necesario y anatomía práctica.

CARGA LECTIVA.: 40 h

PRECIO: 450 euros

INFORMACIÓN E INSCRIPCIONES

Para realizar la inscripción o solicitar información contactar con:

CRAM - Área de Educación y Formación
Camí Ral, 239 - 08330 - Premià de Mar - Barcelona
Teléfono: +34 93 752 45 81
Fax: +34 93 752 57 10
formacion@cram.org

Activities: Marine Mammal course in Belize!

Ecology, Behavior & Conservation of Marine Mammals, A Unique Field Course in the Drowned Cayes, Belize

DATES: May 26 - June 8, 2010 (inclusive of travel)
INSTRUCTORS:

Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D., Bruce A. Schulte, Ph.D., Katherine S. LaCommare, M.S.
LOCATION: Spanish Bay Conservation & Research Center at HP Adventure Lodge,
http://belizeadventurelodge.com/
COSTS: $2595 includes, housing, meals, field trips, ground & water transfer fees, research & materials fees; DOES NOT include airfare, books, tips, or credit hours
DEADLINES: Early Registration ($50 Discount) & and Deposit due March 1st, 2010
MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 8-24 students
REGISTRATION:
http://www.sirenian.org/CourseSyllabus2010.html

Want to be a Marine Mammal Biologist? Or a Behavioral Ecologist? Here's your chance to join our research team for two intense weeks of total immersion into the world of Animal Behavior, Antillean manatees, bottlenose dolphins in Belize! You will become totally immersed into island living, the study of ethology (animal behavior) and the biology of manatees and dolphins through lectures and learning activities, literature review, debate, projects, and field research. This unique field course combines an overview of the ecology, behavior, and conservation of sirenians and cetaceans with hands-on manatee & dolphin research in the Drowned Cayes, Belize. You'll spend 3-4 hours on the water each day learning about the environment as we explore a labyrinth of mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral patches searching for elusive manatees and charismatic dolphins. You'll collect behavioral and environmental data and learn about photo-id techniques; you'll develop a Fact Sheet or Activity Booklet about a related topic to be published by the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education and/or Sirenian International. Extra-curricular activities include diving or snorkeling at Turneffe Atoll, and exploring an ancient Maya City.


This unique course has a work load equivalent to 4 university credit hours and is divided into 4 major components: lectures and learning activities (~1 hour per day), independent reading and assignments (~2 hour per day), data collection in the field (~4 hours per day), project development (~1 hours per day) and debate/group discussion of reading materials (~1 hours per day).


Want credit towards your degree? No problem! Sign up for independent study with an advisor at your school and pay the appropriate fees. The course has 70 contact hours and is comparable to a 4 credit university course. Just have you advisor contact Dr. Self- Sullivan (cselfsullivan@georgiasouthern.edu) to discuss the requirements for credit. Remember, if you are interested in getting independent study credit for this course at your school, you must make arrangements IN ADVANCE with BOTH your advising faculty and the course instructor. Credit hour fees must be paid directly to your school and you must fulfill any Study Abroad requirements at your school.

COURSE CONTENT OVERVIEW (Lectures & Learning Activities)


- The Order Sirenia: Manatees and Dugongs of the World
- The Order Cetacea: Whales and Dolphins of the World
- The Local Research Project: Manatee & Dolphins of the Drowned Cayes
- Animal Behavior: Ethology and Behavioral Ecology - The Scientific Perspectives
- Ecology - Interactions between Manatees, Dolphins, and their Environment
- Marine Mammals under Human Care in Zoos and Oceanariums
- Marine Mammal Science: Research Design, Data Collection Methods,
- Analysis of Data, and Interpretation of Results
- Marine Mammal Conservation and Advocacy: The Status of Extant Marine Mammal Species

RESOURCES


We recommend two books (optional) as primary resources on manatees and dolphins:
- The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation, by Roger L. Reep and Robert K. Bonde, University Press of Florida
- The Bottlenose Dolphin: Biology and Conservation, by John E. Reynolds, Samantha D. Eide, and Randall S. Wells, University Press of Florida


A selection of primary literature will be sent to you in electronic format in advance of the course. Students are required to print out these articles and bring them with them to Belize.There is also a library of books and archived journals, including Society of Marine Mammalogy, Animal Behavior, and Conservation Biology journals, in our library onsite in Belize.

COURSE FEE & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


The course fee of $2595 includes all transportation, course, field trip, and living expenses from your arrival at the PWG airport in Belize on May 26th to your departure on June 8th. You are responsible for tips, insurance, and round-trip airfare to Belize (BZE).

REGISTER EARLY: SAVE $100 WHEN YOU REGISTER and PAY IN FULL BY March 1st
SAVE $50 WHEN YOU REGISTER and PAY DEPOSIT BY March 1st

To register for course, please visit
http://www.sirenian.org/CourseSyllabus2010.html

For more information on the course, please email caryns@sirenian.org or cselfsullivan@georgiasouthern.edu

For more information on the instructors, please visit
http://sirenian.org/caryn.html and http://bioweb.wku.edu/faculty/Schulte/Default.asp

For more information on the facilities, please visit
http://belizeadventurelodge.com/

Download a Course Flyer at
http://sirenian.org/CourseFlyer2010.pdf


Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D.
President & Co-founder, Sirenian International
Visiting Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University
Mobile: 540.287.8207 | Fax: 540.242.9196
Email: caryns@sirenian.org or cselfsullivan@georgiasouthern.edu