Seeking volunteer research assistants for a project
on endangered Australian sea lions
Project title:
Conservation ecology and human disturbance of Australian
sea lions in WA
Project description:
In this
study, baseline information on the ecology and behaviour of Australian sea
lions in Western Australia are being collected. This project aims to provide
basic knowledge on the sea lions’ colony sizes, movement patterns, temporal and
spatial habitat use as well as critical haul-out behaviour that will inform the
management of Australian sea lions inhabiting key breeding and non-breeding
locations in Western Australia. Scan samples and individual focal
follows (behavioural observations) are being conducted to measure the level of disturbance caused by
humans using the beaches simultaneously with these endangered otariid. Also, a new photo-identification method is
being tested and developed to recognize individual Australian sea
lions in the field. This method would aid in estimating the population size of
Australian sea lions and investigating their residency patterns and habitat use
on key breeding islands and haul-out locations in Western Australia.
Main field sites:
Seal Island in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and Carnac
Island Nature Reserve, Western Australia.
A few other haul-out islands within the Perth Metropolitan
area are also being visited during monthly boat surveys.
Field trip dates: March – April/May 2014
Bad weather days will be spent entering and processing data.
Priority will be given to assistants who can commit for longer periods due to
the training required. Research assistants who can commit for 2-3 months are
strongly preferred.
Assistant duties: Collecting and recording
observational data, both on land and from the boat. Assistants will be helping
with data entry and processing, including sorting and processing photos and
information recorded on dictaphones.
Prerequisites:
1. Background knowledge in marine biology,
ecology or conservation and experience in field research is a plus.
2. Research assistants should be confident working for
long hours on islands with limited facilities and on small boats. Boat license
and handling skills would be beneficial.
3. Assistants need to be dedicated to help in this
project. During data collection the ability to focus for long periods,
collecting and recording high quality and accurate data is required. Assistants
are expected to maintain a positive attitude during long hours in the field and
towards other team members, also in varying weather conditions.
4. Field trips are very weather dependant and will
therefore be organised at short notice (often only 1-2 days prior) and will
vary between week and weekend days and may take place on public holidays. Field
trips start early in the morning.
Expenses: This is an unpaid opportunity to
gain training and experience in ecological sciences and particularly in marine
mammal research. Transportation to the study sites can be provided from
Fremantle, WA but unfortunately other travel expenses cannot be covered.
Research assistants are expected to bring their own lunch and water.
If you are interested in helping out in this project,
please send a CV, a brief cover letter highlighting previous experience and
relevant qualifications along with contact details of two relevant referees to: sylvia.osterrieder@gmail.com.
Sylvia Osterrieder
PhD Candidate
Ecology & Sustainability Group, College of Engineering
and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria and Research
Associate
Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University,
Perth, Western Australia
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario