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Category: Blog

Madagascar volunteers turtle survey
BlogMarine Conservation

Marine Conservation: Volunteers Turtle Surveys

Madagascar volunteers turtle surveyEvery morning and afternoon at MRCI we conduct a turtle watch from our office, where two of our volunteers note the time and number of turtles they spot.  Volunteers also participate in an active turtle survey 2-3 times a week.

Madagascar volunteers turtle surveyThe active turtle survey is much more fun, with a small group of snorkelers going out in the morning on a very large transact survey.  Starting from the reef, volunteer divers follow it down towards the next beach whilst spotting and documenting turtles living in the area or migrating through.

Madagascar volunteers turtle surveyThe most commonly spotted is the Hawksbill turtle that also hatches here on a turtle beach.  Green turtles are harder to spot as they are shy and usually hang around the sandy parts, feeding on seagrass.

Volunteers monitor and document not only the number of turtles they see on a day, but they also try to get a good photo of the turtle’s head which is later used for identification of that specific turtle. This helps to monitor how many of the turtles are local ones.

This is also usually the time when our volunteers have a little bit of fun trying to capture more creative shots of turtles and turtle selfies too.  Follow our Instagram feed to see other amazing pictures from our turtle surveys.

Madagascar volunteers turtle survey

Follow the link for more information on our Marine Conservation volunteer programs or contact us today.

Marine Conservation Volunteer: Ruth Engel
BlogMarine ConservationReviews

Marine Volunteer’s Favourite Dive

Volunteers on our Marine Conservation program need to be qualified divers, which is why we offer the PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water Diving courses as part of the volunteer program.

Marine Conservation Volunteer: Ruth EngelEach volunteer also undergoes species identification training, as well as training in survey techniques and practice survey dives.  The clear waters around Nosy Komba are a diver’s paradise, making every dive an amazing experience, but some dives are just that little bit extra special, as one of our volunteers, Ruth Engel (from New Jersey, USA), discovered.

Today I went on my favorite dive yet.  Since getting scuba certified here at Turtle Cove I’ve done a handful of survey dives, mostly for practice.

Today, Vanessa and I went out for a Nudi (sea slugs and flatworm) survey.  The tide was in so we went down right on top of the reef.  It was amazing!  I felt more comfortable in the water than I have so far.

We floated and swam right over the reef and down into it, going upside down to search under lips for the small, vibrant, tiny creatures that exist on those tiny corners of our world that are coral reefs.

We found them; grunting and singing and shrieking into regulators to get each other’s attention.  Each time I found one I wished it was easier to smile with a mouthpiece in.   At the very end we spotted a hawksbill sea turtle called Nighthawk.

Once we ascended I couldn’t stop smiling.  I had so much fun, but it was more than that too.  It was going out and collecting data and having that feeling of actually understanding”.

Read more about other volunteers’ experiences here.

Contact us today to find out how you can join our Marine Conservation program and become a qualified PADI diver.

Volunteers & Staff Turtle Cove Olympics - Team Waves
BlogIsland Life

Turtle Cove Olympics: February 26th, 2016

Volunteers & Staff Turtle Cove Olympics - war paintFor the 2016 Turtle Cove Olympics, everybody at camp (both staff and volunteers) took the day off.  The entire camp readied themselves for war and painted up for the competition.  The camp was then split into 4 teams: Stars, Waves, Wind, and Leaves.

The competition got underway and teams set off with various games like javelin throw, long jump, wheelbarrow races, stick and stone (coral) distance, dizzy bat and Frisbee golf.

Volunteers & Staff Turtle Cove Olympics - Team WavesBy the time the games stopped for lunch, Waves were ahead with Leaves in second place and Stars were followed by Wind.  All teams were very close in points with Waves off to a decent lead.

The second half of the games commenced and the competition heated up.  Stars overtook Waves with win after win in long jump, and stick and stone distance. Leaves were left splitting third place with Wind.

Two games remained: Frisbee golf and wheelbarrow races but Stars kept their winning streak going. Waves crashed, Leaves burned and Wind picked up heavily.

Staff & Volunteers Turtle Cove Olympics - relaxing in the seaThe 2016 Turtle Cove Olympics finished and the results came in: Stars came out on top, followed by Wind and Leaves tied for second.  The low tides were out and, unfortunately, Waves went with them (they blamed it on their full stomachs).

As the Turtle Cove Olympics ended, volunteers and staff took a dip in the sea to relax after all the high intensity competition.  A great day was had by all – we even have the photos to prove it!

Read more about life at our base camp here.

 

Madagascar Volunteer: Rachel Rawcliffe Volunteers
BlogReviewsTeaching

Volunteers Remember Gorgeous Views and Sunshine

Rachel Rawcliffe (from the United Kingdom) took time out of her teaching career to join us in Madagascar.  She joined in several of our projects and, like all of our previous volunteers, is sad to be leaving.

Rachel Rawcliffe VolunteersThis programme offered forest conservation, marine conservation and teaching so was ideal. I also had the opportunity to spend 10 days living on a boat travelling around islands and the mainland. The boat trip was amazing, even though it rained a lot, we went to a lemur island, saw a giant tortoise and visited remote villages. I was most nervous about going into the forest, however, I loved seeing the lemurs, chameleons, geckos and snakes!

On weekends, we have spent time exploring Nosy Be and Ampang, a local village. The staff have been brilliant, helping out with any issues there have been.

The other volunteers have been great and I know I will visit some them over the next few years! I am gutted to be leaving soon and will miss the gorgeous views and sunshine!

At least there will be enough happy memories to last through many a cold, wet day back home.

Read about more about the experiences of other teaching volunteers here.

For more information on our volunteer programs in Madagascar, contact us today!

Volunteers: Katherine Gledhill
BlogMarine ConservationReviews

Volunteers, Stay Longer in Paradise!

Volunteers joining us in Madagascar find it a great way to gain new skills, experience a new country and culture, as well as being a wonderful opportunity to give back and to make a real difference.

Volunteers: Katherine GledhillOur research base “Turtle Cove” is situated on Nosy Komba or “Lemur Island” (as it has been nicknamed), which is located in the North West of Madagascar, between Nosy Be and the mainland.  The closest international airport is Fascene, Nosy Be (NOS).  Volunteers arrive from Nosy Be via boat to our private beach’ and head up the walkway to our base which is nestled into the forest behind. Here we have many of Madagascar’s iconic animals that live literally in our back garden including chameleons and lemurs as well as lizards and frogs!

Maybe this is why Katherine Gledhill who recently joined us from the United Kingdom advises that volunteers stay as long as they can. Kat shared a little of her experience with us:

 “I became an MRCI volunteer following my recent graduation in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. I chose to volunteer on the marine conservation program because I was keen to learn to dive and contribute to valuable research.

Since arriving in Madagascar, all of my expectations have been exceeded in terms of the marine project, camp life and the support network of staff and volunteers. I couldn’t have anticipated how quickly I would fall in love with our reef and camp at Turtle Cove, and I will be so sad when it’s time to leave this beautiful island of Nosy Komba.

I have enjoyed my time my time with MRCI immensely and this is a unique experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I feel confident that this experience and the incredible staff and volunteers here have all helped to shape me as an individual.

I was nervous about joining a big camp but was welcomed to the MRCI family, and felt comfortable around camp and the people in no time. I’m gutted my time is nearly over and the best piece of advice I can offer is to stay for longer, because it never feels like long enough when you’re in paradise.

Read about another volunteer who wished she could have stayed longer here.

For more information on our exciting Volunteer Programs, contact us today!