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| Amazon Riverboat Exploration |
| Help conserve and protect Amazon dolphins, giant river otters, monkeys, turtles, fish, giant river otters, and macaws and other birds. |
     
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On The Expedition From the Ayapua, a vintage boat from the Amazon's rubber boom period, you will work with a team of skilled Peruvian biologists to collect information about the wildlife populations in one of two river areas, Lago Preto or the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, depending on the season. Volunteers rotate between aquatic surveys for dolphins, manatees, giant river otters, fish, and river turtles from motorized canoes. You will also count macaws and conduct land surveys of peccaries, tapirs, deer, monkeys, and game birds. At night, you will do spotlight surveys for caimans. With expedition staff, you will meet and talk to local people about their fishing, hunting, and conservation efforts, and practice some Spanish. In your recreational time, you can peruse the well-stocked library, enjoy a selection of Amazon-themed films on movie nights, or simply relax with a glass of wine on deck in one of the Earth's greatest wild places. Meals and Accommodations The Ayapua is a recently restored 33-meter three-deck boat, with eight double cabins and one triple cabin. Each cabin is air-conditioned and has an en suite bathroom with shower. After mornings and afternoons in the field, you will be treated to an array of local delicacies as well as familiar offerings like roast beef and freshly-caught fish, in the air-conditioned dining room. Mid-morning coffee and afternoon tea (and cakes), are served daily, and beverages are available at the bar on the upper deck. More Information Please note - Our latest printed guide listed scuba certification as a requirement for volunteers on this expedition. There will be no scuba diving on this project so no need for certification. Our apologies for any confusion. 
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Research Summary Yavari River and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Samaria River, Loreto, Peru — The vast, relatively untouched Amazonian forests of northeastern Peru harbor an incredible diversity of wildlife. River dolphins and caimans still swim these waters, while extraordinary birds fly through the canopy. Uakari monkeys abound along the Yavari River and manatees swim in the lakes of Samiria. Rare giant river otters occasionally can be seen cavorting along lakes and rivers. In this remote and isolated region of the Amazon, scientists Dr. Richard Bodmer, Pablo Puertas, and Tula Fang are doing a comprehensive survey of the area's biodiversity to develop sustainable conservation strategies for the region and the people who inhabit it. Illegal timber companies, pet traders, and hunters have decimated wildlife in other areas of the Amazon, lending urgency to the conservation of this near-pristine area. Meet the Scientists  Dr. Richard Bodmer Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, Note from the PI, April 2008 Censuses on terrestrial transects were very interesting and team members recorded high numbers of the woolly monkey, which was by far the most abundant primate. This is an excellent sign for the conservation efforts of the reserve, since woolly monkeys are very vulnerable to humans, especially bush meat hunting. Ten years ago there were very few woolly monkeys in this area and their populations have recovered significantly. Many other species were also observed, and one team member heard a jaguar call about 50 meters from the transect. The dolphins are generally less abundant in this upper section of the river than close to the mouth, but none-the-less there were around 12 dolphins sighted on average each day during the dolphin transects. The macaws demonstrated considerable variance in their abundance. Caimans and fish during this time of year are spread throughout the immense flooded forests and sighting and captures are generally lower than during the dry season. The park administration was very happy with the results of the expedition, and the local people in the villages of the mouth showed their appreciation of the project and the work that the volunteers are doing. Team 1 completed a very important monitoring expedition and the research team and myself truly thank the tremendous efforts of each and all of this united and hard working team. With very best regards, Richard |
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About the Research Area The rainforests of the Amazon basin are virtually overflowing with a diverse array of plant and animal species. You’ll share this tropical environment with beautiful birds, flowers, monkeys, and more aboard a restored riverboat you’ll call home during your expedition. During your expedition you’ll have the opportunity to interact with indigenous people from a number of villages. The Principal Investigator and his research team have formed very positive relationships with these communities over the past 16 years. These people have always accommodated visitors with openness and friendliness. Find out more |
Fact Sheet
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Locations shown are approximate.
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