Dear Ecologgers, Untamed Photography is a UK- and Peru-based wildlife photography outfit working since 2010 in the Amazon Basin. We lead photography workshops and tours, but importantly we also assist wildlife research projects and tropical forest conservation initiatives, with an emphasis in the south- eastern rainforests of Peru.
We are currently looking for candidate interns with some prior photography knowledge and their own DSLR camera who can spend ideally between 3 and 4 weeks in Peru with our team. We have recently begun a long-term study at multiple sites focused on mammal and bird behavior using the “mirror image stimulation” technique. The main objectives of this study are to identify which terrestrial and arboreal species respond to their own reflection using large and small mirrors, what forms of behavior they show as a consequence, whether or not recognizable individuals (such as spotted cats, each of which has a unique spot pattern) quickly habituate to the mirrors or not, and to understand what factors may help explain certain behavioral traits observed. We use a combination of camera traps and hand- held DSLR cameras to gather the imagery and video that we require. The latter requires us to sometimes shoot from hides at wildlife that approach one mirror or a set of mirrors. We are keen to accept people who have a love of wild nature, science, photography, adventure travel, and developing countries. Candidates that show interest in wanting to use their photography skills to contribute to our understanding of the natural world, in addition to helping us spread the tropical nature conservation message via imagery and video, will be given priority. The main research season for which we are seeking interns (for periods of 3 to 4 weeks at a time) begins on 15th March 2018 and ends on 1st December 2018. For exceptional candidates, we may consider longer stays in the field with our team, e.g. 2 or 3 months. All interns must cover their in-country costs associated with food, accommodation, local travel, and the photography and science based training and supervision required – after arrival in the city of Puerto Maldonado, Peru. For instance, a 3-week all-inclusive internship would require a cost of US$2,190. While 4 weeks would be US$2,820. In addition, successful candidates would need to cover their flight to Puerto Maldonado and travel insurance. To apply, please send us a cover letter and a copy of your resume to: i...@untamedphotography.net For more information, please check out the following links and social media pages: http://untamedphotography.net/mirror-image-stimulation-study/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etP5nETSQZM&t=62s https://www.facebook.com/untamedwildlife/ Many thanks! Dr. Chris Kirkby Co-director and Principal Investigator UNTAMED PHOTOGRAPHY Email: ch...@untamedphotography.net
