This work will allow you to get hands-on experience of a range of research methods as well as contribute to the development of vital conservation programmes.
Our next trip is departing around the 9th July 2022 for 2 weeks (longer and shorter trips are available).
The main focuses are:
1. We will be surveying the critically endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin, carrying out photo identification, boat and shore-based surveys and behavioural studies.
2. We have joined forces with the two marine turtle groups in The Gambia, creating the biggest conservation initiative for turtles in The Gambia ever… our work involves devising sea turtle rehabilitation protocols, hatchery designs, possible head-starting facilities and scientific monitoring.
3. Collecting data and recording elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) from all main fishing ports in The Gambia. Significant findings in the past decade include sawback and smoothback angel sharks (each only seen once in the whole world in the previous 15 years!) and small-toothed stingray - only ever seen once on the planet before, in Nigeria in 1870!
4. Training Gambian conservationists in cetacean, turtle and manatee rescue with our BDMLR trainers.
5. Developing our “headstarting” programme for West African Dwarf crocodiles (which were thought to be extinct in The Gambia until we rediscovered them) through surveys and possibly capture of juvenile crocodiles for translocation to our rearing facility (we have already developed our ideal forest reintroduction sites).There are also opportunities to see and participate in the research on a wide range of other species including west African manatee, Mediterranean monk seal, primates, reptiles, amphibians, birds and more…
The trip is a brilliant introduction to the wildlife of West Africa and the problems it faces. It will also allow you to actively contribute to real conservation actions and directly support Gambian conservationists.
Anyone is welcome to join us, no experience necessary, just a desire to learn & get stuck in!
If you are interested please join the group Marine Conservation in The Gambia for full details - https://www.facebook.com/groups/249272459941798/
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Thanks for sharing, Sarah!
This sounds great Sarah, a very good opportunity to contribute towards conservation of the Gambia’s Marine creatures, a great premise to learn conservation concepts and techniques whilst still providing an interesting experience to appreciate nature.
I am very interested in this project, my cost will differ a little bit from yours because I am from Nigeria, a West African Country as well. But, I am still short on resources because I can’t afford to sponsor my trip to the Gambia because I am still an undergraduate and I have no job.
It will be great if you/anyone can recommend the best way to get a funding opportunity to cover this trip.
Hi, you can definitely access funding to participate in things like this. Here are two links from a quick google search:
https://www.advance-africa.com/1500-international-individual-grants-for-nigerians.html
https://www.rgs.org/in-the-field/in-the-field-grants/
You will need to research and find grants where you meet the eligibility criteria, and there are lots out there. It’s very time consuming applying for the right grants but worth it. WildHub also have a great grant writing manual and course to help guide you to write successful grant proposals. I have fundraised my whole expedition to the High Arctic through grants and fundraising, I was more successful with lots of smaller grants offered in my own local area which all added up. This is the link my go fund me - if you read the donors and updates it will give you lots of ideas for fundraising etc.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/sedna-epic-womens-leadership-arctic-expedition
Thank you Sarah, this is really helpful.
I will consider searching for the grants that fit my purpose of research.
Hi @Temiloluwa Fajembola , Please also find an overview of grant opportunities in our corresponding room on WildHub (see also my answer to Juma about scholarships here).
Thanks Thirza. I will check them out