This is a research training program targeting students with an interest in wildlife
handling or veterinary science. This program will train students to participate in an
annual capture and release program on tamarins (small Neotropical primates) in
southeastern Peru. Each participant will individually handle upwards of 25 animals of
two species of primate while gaining valuable knowledge on the natural history of 9
other primate species at this site. This program is part of an ongoing long-term
tamarin monitoring project begun in 2009.
At the end of this program, students will be able to:
• Identify all materials used in an animal field processing kit
• Collect swabs of secretions and genetic materials from the primates
• Determine sex and appropriate age of individuals by morphological characters for
two primate species
• Appropriately handle wild primates under time constraints
• Record TPRs at regular intervals (temperature, pulse, and respiration)
• Manipulate a weighing scale to accurately record the body mass of subjects
• Collect biological samples
• Store and process biological samples analyses of endocrinology, parasitology and
reproductive physiology
PROGRAM FACTS
WHEN: May 27 – July 7, 2018 (Minimum commitment 4 weeks)
WHERE: The Los Amigos Biological Field Station in Southeastern Peru
DEADLINE: May 1, 2018
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/2oHzRbE
We strongly recommend that students also attend the field course in longterm primate
monitoring in July 2018 that will occur just after the handling program begins:
http://bit.ly/2ETqUTB
ELIGIBILITY: We are currently recruiting participants with the following requirements. If
you are uncertain if you are eligible, contact us at i...@fieldprojects.org to confirm:
• Participants must be at least 18 years of age by the time the training program begins.
• Participants must demonstrate a grounding or strong interest in animal handling and
biology.
• Participants must be certain that they are not squeamish at the sight of medical
equipment – if you are scared of getting a vaccine, you will not gain from this
experience.
• Previous field experience is not required, but previous handling experience (or some
contact with animals other than your pets) is a plus.
• Participants must justify why this program is important to them, and what they hope
to gain from it.
• Participants must provide a letter of recommendation from a source that can
substantiate the participant’s experience and skills.
• Participants must be unafraid of insects, reptiles and the jungle in general.
• Participants must be in good physical condition, with the capability to walk 4 miles a
day or at least 2 miles carrying a 30 lb load.
• Participants will not be discriminated against for medical conditions they might have
if we determine that being on this project will not pose an immediate risk to their
health.
• Participants must sign waivers of liability for this project and for the field station
before their participation in the project is finalized.
• Participants must be willing to maintain long hours in the field, but also return to
complete data entry in the evenings.
• Sometimes we wait and are unsuccessful – this is the nature of the work. Participants
must demonstrate patience.
• Participants must be reliable – when a team is assigned to work with a group of
animals, days of planning go into the execution of the protocol. Carelessness and
tardiness on the part of the participant could jeopardize the entire project.
• Due to the nature of the work and weather constraints, participants MUST be willing
to be flexible about their days off. Our time in the jungle is valuable, and participants
can expect that time off will come in the form of half days and some full days (rarely).
• Participants must exhibit a willingness to adjust your schedule to primate daily
activity patterns. This can require waking up early, sometimes by 4 or 5 am, and going
to bed early, 8 or 9 pm.
Contact i...@fieldprojects.org for information if interested or apply online now.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until spots are complete.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a research assistant training program and fees assessed
provide food and lodging, as well as supplement equipment costs. This is not a work-
for-free for someone else's research situation. This is the equivalent of attending a
research training program over the summer.