Description
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Overview
The NGO, established in 2002, is the research team dedicated to the conservation of the bottlenose dolphins off Istria, Croatia. This dolphin volunteer program in North-eastern Adriatic focuses on the relationships, group size, composition and population dynamics, as well as obtaining scientific data about the fishing industry and negative influence from nautical tourism on the dolphin community. To volunteer for the last marine mammals in the area one of the aims is to ensure that sustainable and environmentally safe tourism is accomplished by offering certified training programs for dolphin watching.
Why volunteer in protecting the dolphins off Istria, in Croatia?
It was only possible due to the help of the international volunteers that the first scientific article about the dolphin population: abundance and distribution off Istria was published. Dolphins play an essential role in maintaining balance, long term livelihood and sustainability for the entire marine ecosystem. Thus it is of key relevance that we help keeping the bottlenose dolphins in the area. With this dolphin volunteer opportunity you indirectly help in saving the functionality of the North East Adriatic itself. The mission is also, that more dolphin volunteer will help in education of the local people in Istria and will try to inspire them why conservation of these last residential bottlenose dolphins is important. Join us in this mission and get one of the best volunteer experiences for the bottlenose dolphins – dolphins in the need of conservation.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1507284335031{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-bottom: 50px !important;background-color: #157a7c !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”project-cta-blue-color-white”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]
Get advice about this DOLPHIN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY.
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Location:
Zambratija near Umag and Funtana, Croatia
Duration:
11 days
Airport of Arrival:
Pula (PUY) in Croatia; alternative Trieste (TRS), in Italy.
Volunteer Contribution:
Data collection and protection of the last marine mammals in the area – common bottlenose dolphin
Age:
18 – 60
# of Volunteers:
6 International volunteers (e.g. USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Austria, UK)
Languages spoken:
English, German, Croatian, Slovenian;
Essential info:
To be added.
What is included?
Airport Transfers:
Volunteers will make their own way, via public transport, to and from the airport of arrival to Umag, where they will be collected.
Accommodation:
Shared rooms in the research station
Food:
All inclusive; vegetarian, vegan also available; typical Mediterranean food.
Insurance:
Volunteers must provide their own comprehensive travel health insurance with volunteer abroad coverage.
Essential info:
To be added.
Other:
Optional excursions:
There will be at least one excursion within the program; other attractive excursions are available prior or after the team dates.
Support:
24h emergency support and local in-country with the dolphin conservation team.
Not included:
Flights, personal
Minimum conditions:
- Minimum age: 18
- Must be a swimmer
- Language: basic English, German, Slovenian or Croatian
- Enthusiastic and a team player
- No vaccines are needed
- No police Background check is needed
The country is one of the safest in the world however, like everywhere, precautions must be taken with your personal belongings.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1507284844516{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-bottom: 50px !important;background-color: #02ab4c !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”project-cta-green-color-white”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]
Get live chat for the volunteer experience with dolphins.
[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”LEARN MORE” style=”classic” shape=”square” align=”center” el_id=”open-chat”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-camera-retro” add_icon=”true” title=”Photos” tab_id=”photos”][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”240,241,242,243,244,246,247,248,249,250,251,252,253,254,255,256,257,258,239,259,260,261,262,263,264,265,266,267″][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-comments” add_icon=”true” title=”Testimonials” tab_id=”testimonials”][vc_column_text][testimonials category=60][/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-map-marker” add_icon=”true” title=”Location” tab_id=”location”][vc_column_text]
Location
Zambratija, 5km north from Umag
Zambratija is a small village in Croatia, situated in the northern part of Istrian peninsula in the north-east of the Adriatic. Just in March 2013, only 400m from the coast there was an ancient underwater discovery announced, of the world’s heritage importance: a boat wreck, dated back into 1,200 BC. The finding captures our imagination as it is wooden and literally sewn together with the ropes. The technique was used till Roman times. In the background Zambratija has extensive olive groves with beautiful views over the sea and the area resembles Tuscany. The bikes will be available for an even better volunteer experience to enjoy the scenery when not going out with the boat. Only 20 minutes bike ride along the coast to the north is a panoramic view towards Slovenia as well as Italy with the Alps in the background. Attractive combination of a volunteer vacation: an important work for dolphin conservation and a free time at the same time.[/vc_column_text][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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” size=””][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-question” add_icon=”true” title=”About” tab_id=”about”][vc_column_text]
About
The bottlenose dolphin population in the Adriatic Sea has declined by approximately 50 per cent in the last five decades. The decline is largely the result of a deliberate killing since these marine mammals were in the 60.-ies perceived as pests. Though the practice is now illegal, and the animals are protected, a further decline might be expected due to the rise in anthropogenic pressures, such as overfishing and a rising nautical tourism, underwater noise and other disturbances.
An organization is active to protect and conserve these last remaining bottlenose dolphins. While their efforts began in Slovenia, they have expanded into Croatia where researchers found the same individual dolphins. The research area, which partially belongs to Natura 2000 (an EU-wide network of nature protection areas), is an important feeding and calving ground for more than 150 dolphins. These dolphins are the last constantly present marine mammals in the NE Adriatic and play a vital role in indicating the ecological state of the sea.
This organization’s work is crucial to understanding the factors influencing the local dolphin population and educating the public on their findings. Besides these species, they are also committed to preserving the marine environment to benefit all other marine life, starting with large marine vertebrates (turtles, sharks), which regulate the ecological balance of the marine ecosystem.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-compass” add_icon=”true” title=”Orientation” tab_id=”orientation”][vc_column_text]
Orientation
Each volunteer will receive orientation in the dolphin volunteering and research office in Zambratija. Volunteer work roles will be explained, why volunteering in dolphin conservation is needed and give helpful tips to help in obtaining the best possible volunteer experience.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-user-plus” add_icon=”true” title=”Contribution” tab_id=”contribution”][vc_column_text]
Contribution
Your dolphin volunteer work is important in helping to protect this last resident population living in the sensitive marine ecosystem. During the first few days, your marine volunteer tasks will be also to attend morning lectures on topics such as marine mammals and marine ecology. Throughout your dolphin volunteer opportunity, you will learn how to read and understand research data and actively help in dolphin conservation. Some of your tasks will include:
- Dolphin observation
- Data analyzing
- Entering data directly into the catalogue, including observation notes
- Educating the local public on bottlenose and their importance for the entire marine ecosystem
- Learning how to distinguish between dolphin species
Please note: Going out to sea for research is dependent on the weather conditions. If the weather is not favorable or the sea is above 3Bf, there will be on-land activities arranged instead.
Typical Day: You will volunteer about 4-6 hours day, 8 days out of 11. Your days will begin at 9 a.m. with a briefing of daily tasks during the breakfast. After that, you will analyze data from the previous observations and enter them into the main dolphin catalogue. You might be also engaged with our social media platforms and learn some marketing tools. Following will be a lunch that you will prepare for yourself along with other team members. You will also prepare a snack to take it with you, when going out to the sea. In the early afternoon you will depart for the dolphin research which could sometimes last till 8:30 p.m. depending on the encounter success. In the evening, you will return to cook dinner with the team followed by the opportunity to engage in social activities or relax. Please note that you will not volunteer on the first and last day of your placement or on the day of the excursion. Depending on the volunteer roles during your stay you might also be involved in daily house-keeping roles, such as gardening, cleaning and similar.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_type=”entypo” i_icon_entypo=”entypo-icon entypo-icon-signal” add_icon=”true” title=”Living set-up” tab_id=”living-set-up”][vc_column_text]
Living set-up
Accommodation:
You will stay in an apartment for volunteers with two shared rooms available (with 1-3 volunteers per room). Each room is equipped with bunk beds. There is also an air conditioner with cooling and heating capabilities in the apartment along with a western-style bathroom. The apartment’s entrance extends to a spacious terrace overlooking the surrounding area, which is a great place to hang out. In addition, there is a common room with a TV and computers for your use and enjoyment.
Beddings:
You need to bring your own beddings with you. If you bring a sleeping bag you still need to bring your own sheet. In case you don’t have anything an additional charge of 10EUR will incur.
Food:
Three meals a day are included (meals are mostly vegetarian). There will also be regular visits to a supermarket possible for to purchase snacks and other items for individual needs.
Internet:
WiFi is available for free at the research base until 10 p.m. each night.
Laundry:
A washing machine is available for 7 EUR per wash.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-suitcase” add_icon=”true” title=”Travel focus” tab_id=”travel-focus”][vc_column_text]
Travel focus
There will be at least one organized excursion during your project placement. After or before dolphin volunteering you may have the chance to visit Brijuni National Park or Kamenjak National Park, in case you will prolong your holidays in the area. There will be the possibility to visit one of these famous touristic towns: Umag, Rovinj or Grožnjan (a typical Istrian village situated right at the top of the small hill with beautiful views right till the sea). In addition, there will be an organized walk under the stars into the inland of Istria on one night during your stay.
Lucky for you, Funtana and Zambratija are situated in an ideal geographical location as it only a few hours’ drive from most of the major European capitals. You can visit places like Venice, Dubrovnik (another Adriatic pearl town), Ljubljana (Slovenian capital) and Postojna cave (3rd biggest cave in the world). If you are interested in these particular adventures, you can ask your volunteer project coordinators upon arrival.
You are also free to organize your own activities, such as morning exercises on the terrace or running on the beautiful pathways next to the sea. There may also be a bike or two available for your use (depending on availability).[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]