 (Photo credit: Benjamin Wambergue) The main aim of this campaign will be to research the Humpback whale population in the seas around Moheli, in order to create a catalogue of photo-identification. We will also create an inventory of the marine mammal population. You will go to sea as much as possible with local guides to scan the seas for any cetaceans. As well as taking pictures for the purpose of photo-identification we will study the response of cetaceans to boats, as indicated by behaviour, respiration and group dynamics. We will also focus on group association patterns. If conditions allow you may also have a chance to swim with the cetaceans.  (photo credit: Benjamin Wambergue) This project aims to research hawksbill and green turtle nesting activity. We will record and compare nesting activities at different sites located on uninhabited islets, the main island and our own beach at Moidjio. We will also contribute to conservation by participating to anti-poaching efforts. About a 1000 turtles a year get killed in Comoros for their meet and eggs are collected for food. There are laws but no means to make it respected. Your contribution will help to bring eco-guards on the site and the simple presence of people working on the beaches avoid turtles to be slaughtered. We will experiment Photo-ID (on nest and at sea), will record hatching success and predation rate on land and at sea. Nesting activities will take place at night and early morning, leaving time to conduct photo-identification of turtles under water during the day. We will also identify areas of special conservation interest in order to ensure their best management. During any free time you have you can take the opportunity to acclimate yourself with Comoros and its culture (dance, Beach BBQ, makeup, dress, traditions) and unique island ecosystem (lemurs, giant bats, mangroves, rare birds, coral reef, fishing).... there is plenty to do. Th |  (Photo credit: Benjamin Wambergue) Moidjio CRCAD is looking for volunteers to research on Lemurs mongoose and Livingstone bats. Lemur Mongoose are classified as vulnerable species. These primates are threatened by deforestation in their original ranges across Madagascar and Comoros. They used to be hunted for food or sold for the pet trade. They are now only found in the North West of Madagascar and on two of the Comoros Islands- Moheli and Anjouan. Status and biology of Lemur Mongoose are still not well known but are of great interest for its conservation.  Livingstone bats are endemic to Comoros and just found on Moheli and Ajouan. They are also called the flying fox, because of their size. They are exclusively fruitivore and their number and habitat are not well known. Their future is under threats as the primary forest, which they are relying on, slowly disappear. We would like to focus on ecology, population abundance estimation, behaviour, interaction with farmers, and diet in forest and agricultural areas. We will continue our effort of photo-identification and compare activities between wet and dry season, identify plants and plants associations on feeding and resting spot. We will also compare lemurs behaviour between lowland (cultivated) and highland (forested). We will try to locate Lemurs' dormitory and make sure that land owners are aware of them and will protect the area. (photo credit Romain Wambergue) Moheli and the Comoros are in great need of education and access to the English language. Teaching at Moidjio C.R.C.A.D. will involve running courses for local teachers and members of the marine park as well as teaching children and teenagers. You can also have the pleasure of participating in research expeditions, whale watching, turtle monitoring and so on. Classrooms will be allocated to you and you will organise your courses in a way that best fits you and the students. |
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