Next Experience: Spring 2020.

Note: Applications will close 8 weeks before the departure dates.

When people think of the Caribbean, vacation getaway comes to mind. Cuba is a popular tourist destination, with its warm climate and beautiful sandy beaches. Tourism has been very important for the economics of Cuba, but has also resulted in habitat destruction, and hotel development. Many animals are affected by this loss of habitat, including several species of bats. Our partner organization in Cuba focuses its scientific work on bat conservation and needs your help.

In Cuba there are approximately 30 000 caves, and 26 species of living bats. Our partner is involved in several scientific studies of the bats to better understand their numbers, distribution, behaviour and biology and how the bat populations are affected by habitat loss, drought, disease and other stressors. Twice a year volunteers are needed to help conduct population surveys of the bats. Field research is carried out primarily in the city of Matanzas but also at the caves in Varadero. Varahicacos is the protected ecological reserve open for ecotourism on Varadero. The few caves here are home to the six species of bats of Varadero. As part of the study, bats are captured in nets, examined, tagged and measured before being released. Working on an ecological reserve also provides the opportunity to educate the public about bats, and wildlife conservation.

This week long Experience will be a hands-on introduction to field research. This means you will be collecting data in the bat's environment: un-air conditioned caves and forests. You will learn proper handling and identification techniques and have the opportunity to set up equipment in the field that is commonly used to capture bats. You will also work in caves not accessible to the public which will give you the opportunity to see other species, and compare undisturbed bat populations to those located in Varadero. Enjoy Cuba's beautiful climate, friendly people and spectacular wildlife while helping with bat conservation work and learning important field research skills.