Internship Opportunity for Raptor Migration Study in Nepal

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Raptors are highly mobile predatory birds; large numbers migrate from their breeding ground to the wintering areas in autumn and vice versa in spring. Monitoring of regional populations from the migration corridor is a very effective method to assess population trends for a number of migratory species. In Nepal two raptor migration traditional corridor are recognized as a globally significant sites from there >30 species of migratory raptors (majority are Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis nipalensis) migrate east to west following the Himalayan Mountains. Although there are handfuls of partial counts since 1970s we started long term raptor migration study in Nepal since 2011.     

This year we aim to provide internship opportunity for the young biologist who have keen interest on raptor biology. Raptor migration internship provides hands-on training, work, and field experiences for individuals committed to careers in raptor biology and conservation.  Interns train in research techniques focus on migratory raptors and work with the world class raptor biologist from different parts of the world.  Visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/gvwl7djbwkic8vt/2012.FinalReport.Nepal.pdf to read 2012 final report.

Works Station and Facility

Starting from 15 Sept 2013, first 3 weeks will be based on Lumle Agriculture Centre and he/she will work on PaudurHill (approximately 1 Km uphill to Kande), however this duration depends on the local weather situation. Second phase of fieldwork will be conducted in Thoolakharka watch site based on Australian Camp Guest House. We will not provide stipend to the intern however food and accommodation will be provided.      

Responsibilities

Interns work shoulder-to-shoulder with professional mentors and he/she is responsible to assist the principal counter for daily flight interpretation, counting/recording, data management, educate and interact with number of national and international visitor.

Eligibility
           
Open to undergraduate and graduate students in Zoology, Environmental Science and other related subjects.  Applicant should be committed to continue career in the conservation filed. Raptor migration period overlaps with main Nepalese festivals Dashain and Tihar so applicant should be committed not to take break for this period. Applicant familiar with Birds of Prey will add the advantage.

Interested candidates are requested to send their recent CV (no more than 2 pages) before 30 August 2013 to internship.raptormigration@gmail.com stating career plans (250 words or less) following an internship in raptor migration.

Only most appropriate candidates will be contacted for the selection

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