Re-cap on Five Weeks

The last 5 weeks at GVI Amazon has been amazing fun. There were 17 volunteers from around the world who joined GVI staff at a really exciting time. Lots of new projects have been started this past 5 weeks, concentrating on road edge effects on mammals, butterflies and birds, as well as continuing research into the amphibians and reptiles of the Yachana Reserve.

Initially this means a lot of hard set up work, with over 8 km of new forest trails being cut (with some difficult terrain!). Although this all has been extremely worthwhile, with some encouraging results from the phase:

• Birds: Mistnetting: 49 birds, 20 species; and Point Counts: 45 bird species
• Butterfly surveys: 86 butterflies, 24 species
• Amphibians: 29 amphibians and reptiles, with 6 species of amphibians and 6 species of reptiles
• Mammals: 4 mammal species

We also added three new species to the Yachana Reserve species list!

In addition to the scientific research, we have been continuing to teach TEFL in our two regular communities, and also added a new community to our TEFL schedule!

So whether studying for ID tests, working on our BTEC assignments, going out on a survey, teaching TEFL or simply taking some well-earned rest in a hammock, everyone has had a blast. We are sad to lose some of our team at the end of the 5 weeks, but excitement is building with regards to the next 5 weeks which are shaping up to be another great 5 weeks at GVI Amazon!

Mark Russell - GVI Amazon 6 month Conservation Intern October 2010 – March 2011

Re-cap on Five Weeks