📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Vive Mexico
💼 What the programme involves
PROJECT: If you love nature, have group management skills, know group dynamics, speak English and have knowledge of Spanish, apply to be a leader in our crocodile conservation projects in Guayabitos! In Nayarit’s Riviera, there is a great need to protect the American Crocodile "Acutus". Due to the destruction, pollution, invasion of their habitat by humans, exploiting their skin and flesh, this crocodile species are in danger of extinction. Since 2010, a team of professional biologists and conservationists began to create a sanctuary where crocodiles could be relocated in a safe area for the species and humans, this work is done by the team who allow volunteers to help to take care of crocodiles and its sanctuary, allowing visitors and the general public learn about their behavior and how to live in harmony with them.
ACTIVITIES: The volunteer will be project leader and will be responsible for the coordination of the activities from the group of international volunteers of the following projects:
VIVE16.17.06 Crocodile Conservation XV 22/03-03/04 -20vols
VIVE16.17.07 Crocodile Conservation XVI 05/04-17/04 -20vols
1. The volunteer will receive a compulsory leader training course in the city of Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, where all the tasks in the project (reception of volunteers, management of extra fee, recreation and time management) will be explained. Vive Mexico will provide money for the transportation expenses to La Penita de Jaltemba.
2. To coordinate the proper reception of those volunteers attending the project.
3. To organize activities with the local coordinator.
4. To coordinate free time activities for the group.
5. To submit reports of activities and results with the coordinator from Vive Mexico.
6. To fill formats and evaluation from the participants.
7. To gather photographic evidence of the activities in the projects.
8. To encourage volunteers to participate in activities and at the end of the project complete the evaluation.
Always accompanied by an expert, the leader and the volunteers will develop various activities throughout the week including:
1. To monitor the health of the ecosystem of crocodiles.
2. To count the number of specimens.
3. To assist in feeding crocodiles and cleaning the areas where they are temporarily in captivity.
4. To assist in watering plants needed to provide shade for the crocodiles in captivity.
5. To assist in taking photographs and samples of the habitat.
6. To assist in signal processing for those using crocodile areas, preparation of reports of specimens in the wild and captivity.
It is important that volunteers know that the environmental management unit "Cocodrilos de Nayar" has the appropriate permissions from Mexican government: SEMARNAT and always operates in cooperation with PROFEPA and Civil Protection, Mexican institutions in charge of the regulations from these kind of conservation areas.
🏠 Accommodation on site
HOSTING: In Morelia City: at Vive Mexico’s International Cultural Center in a shared room with all facilities, private bathroom, hot water, WIFI, kitchen. In Guayabitos: in a hotel, shared room, all facilities, private bathroom, hot water, swimming pool, WIFI and air conditioning.
VEGETERIAN FOOD AVAILABLE: Yes
📍 About the location
LEISURE ACTIVITIES: During their stay in Morelia City, leaders can take a walk in downtown which has many cultural activities throughout the year, and discover the variety of historic buildings and monuments, for those looking to surround themselves by natural wonders, Morelia offers many options: 45 kilometers from Patzcuaro´s lake and the ancient pyramids of Tzintzuntzan, the magical towns of Cuitzeo, Patzcuaro and Santa Clara del Cobre, the islands of the Pancada, Janitzio among others that the native cultures identified as the border between worlds, and several ceremonial centers of the Mesoamerican pre-Hispanic times. Once in Guayabitos, leaders enjoy various activities in one of the most attractive destinations in Mexico. The area extends approximately 300 kilometers along the coast, integrated by mountainous jungle and facing coastal islands. For those seeking a more rural and rustic side of Mexico, the Riviera has a massive open space for everyone along the Nayarit coast beaches, for those who want to relax, quiet beaches and other beaches with heavy waves for surfers. In their free time leaders can go on their own to Bahia de Banderas, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.
⚠️ Requirements
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is compulsory to speak basic conversational level in Spanish and English. Attend to the training course for leaders in the city of Morelia Michoacan. It is mandatory to have international traveler insurance.
ℹ️ Additional information
SPECIAL NOTES: During leader training course in Morelia, the volunteers will have covered their food, lodging, local transportation for the project’s purposes and after the project finishes 100 USD for pocket money that will be given to the volunteer.
For volunteers who are interested to learn Spanish, there will be a Spanish course organized before the project starts, it will be organized in the city of Morelia. Cost: 110 Euros. It includes lodging for 7 days at a Youth Hostel in Morelia city, materials, theory and practice activities for 15 hours with a professional teacher. (Meals are not included).