Humpback Whale Research Volunteer in Mozambique
Highlights
- Conservation volunteering in Mozambique is an experience like no other.
- Enjoy laid-back beaches, small fishing communities and graceful dhows sailing on bright blue waters.
- Witness the whale shark, manta rays, sea turtles and large pods of humpback whale.
- Participate in marine conservation efforts and help [protect the endangered Humpback Whale
Overview
The enigmatic and often-overlooked African country Mozambique is unfailingly rewarding, with untouched, white sandy beaches, a diverse range of marine wildlife and welcoming people. Volunteers and adventurous travellers to Southern Mozambique, home of some of the world’s finest scuba diving, are rarely disappointed.
A unique opportunity to witness an incredible ocean migration in a stunning location. Tofo is one of the main areas of humpback whale breeding and calving, and the waters around the beach become home to these animals as they migrate north. Volunteers gather data on population numbers, individual animal identification, pod structure, and behaviour studies, to support international humpback whale conservation.
From July to September every year, hundreds of humpback whales migrate to Mozambique to breed and calve. The goal of the humpback whale research project is for marine biologists to gather data on the annual migration of humpback whales in Mozambique. Volunteers assist a specialist whale researcher to gather data for scientific studies of these wonderful animals, which are then used for international policy-making.
Humpback whale research volunteers participate in boat-based whale expeditions, and work with researchers to gather data on population numbers, behaviour, individual animal logging and identification, and pod structure. Learn practical research and data collection techniques including photo-identification, biopsy sampling and acoustic recordings. Volunteers also view and collect data on whale sharks, manta rays and dolphins, to support the work done on our Marine Conservation Programme.
的Humpback Whale Research project is run by a specialist marine biologist who collects annual data on Mozambique’s whales. The conservation biology research is focused on the levels of toxins accumulated in whale blubber. Volunteers gain a deep insight into whale biology and ecology and learn the main research techniques used to study them. The research is used to positively influence international policy-making around whale conservation and culling.