Perform Critical Research To Protect Jaguars & Howler Monkeys…
From Anywhere On Earth
HIGHLIGHTS:
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100% online (Limited to 20 fellow spots)
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Earn 100 research hours for VMCAS vet school applications
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Have a direct impact on the conservation of howler monkeys and jaguars in Belize
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Work alongside primatologist Dr. Kayla Hartwell to perform critical research necessary for the reintroduction of endangered black howler monkeys to Runaway Creek Nature Reserve
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Gain valuable research experience in wildlife conservation, primate behavior, camera trap surveys, wildlife monitoring techniques, vegetation sampling, and conducting literature reviews for research proposals
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*Fellowship is open to ALL. No pre-requisites or student status is required.
Loop Abroad, in collaboration with CELA-Belize, invites students to be part of wildlife conservation and research conducted by the Foundation for Wildlife Conservation (FWC) in and around the Runaway Creek Nature Reserve in central Belize. This is a one-of-kind online research fellowship available from anywhere.
Fellowship Description:
Join the research team from the Foundation for Wildlife Conservation (FWC) to study jaguars and howler monkeys at Runaway Creek Nature Reserve in Belize. FWC is a small non-profit organization that owns and manages Runaway Creek. The reserve is over 6,000 acres of tropical forest that serves as a critical piece of the Maya Forest Corridor in Central Belize. This unique online fellowship will encompass two ongoing projects at Runaway Creek and will require the students to work with long-term data on howler monkeys and jaguars.
Work alongside primatologist Dr. Kayla Hartwell to gather information and analyze data as a critical step toward the reintroduction of endangered black howler monkeys to Runaway Creek Nature Reserve. Following a destructive hurricane in 2010, howler monkeys slowly disappeared from the reserve. To help bring howler monkeys back to Runaway Creek and increase their genetic diversity within the corridor, FWC will release ex-captive howler monkeys who have gone through a successful rehabilitation process and are ready for survival in the wild.
In addition to participating in the study of howler monkeys, students will gain valuable experience conducting research on jaguars. They will help the FWC team compile and organize over 10 years of camera trap images on jaguars and other wildlife (eg. tapirs, pumas, ocelots, coatis) at Runaway Creek using a specialized research software program. Research fellows will learn how to individually identify jaguars and compile a complete species list for the reserve. This information will be critical to the management of Runaway Creek within the Maya Forest Corridor.
Through a combination of lectures, assignments, and one-on-one instruction, students will be introduced to conservation issues within the Maya Forest Corridor, primate behavior, wildlife monitoring and research techniques, the importance of vegetation sampling, and other ongoing research by the FWC team.
This fellowship is virtual, based on twice-weekly lectures and meetings led by the FWC staff. The curriculum is based on current and past data collected at Runaway Creek Nature Reserve. Following the initial introductory block session, meeting times will be twice a week for 1-2 hours as well as virtual office hours for one-on-one time with FWC staff.
Your primary projects will include (100 Research Hours required):
Howler monkey sighting and behavior data: You will help analyze data on the howler monkeys at Runaway Creek to determine when howler numbers started to decline following the hurricane. You will learn data collection methods for studying primates in the wild and will learn simple data analysis tools while also calculating howler activity budgets and diet profiles.
Vegetation sampling: Studying the vegetation prior to releasing the howler monkeys is critical to a successful reintroduction so that the habitat is deemed suitable with enough food resources to support monkeys. You will learn how to collect and analyze vegetation data and fruit phenology to determine howler food availability within the areas selected for release.
Camera trap data: For over ten years, FWC has used a series of motion sensor camera traps within the 6,000-acre reserve to monitor and study wild animals. Camera traps are an effective method for collecting data on elusive species with minimal impact on the animals. You will help the FWC team organize and review camera trap images to compile a complete species list of animals at Runaway Creek. You will also learn how to individually identify jaguars and analyze camera trap photos of jaguars to determine relative abundance, site fidelity, population density, and record observations of unique behaviors.
Literature Review: You will compile articles from peer-reviewed journals as part of FWC’s research projects. Topics will include research methodology and data analysis using camera traps, wildlife rehabilitation and reintroduction of howler monkeys and other neotropical primates, wildlife corridors, and conservation issues with the development of roads. You will research a topic, compile information from multiple resources, and complete a paper discussing your findings. The information you gather in your literature review will be useful to FWC for future research proposals, presentations, publications, and grant applications.
Goals and Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the behavior, ecology, and conservation status of primates in Belize
- Analyze past data on howler monkey sightings at Runaway Creek to determine critical information on their decline following a major hurricane
- Analyze vegetation data and fruit phenology to determine howler food availability at the release areas
- Learn how to individually identify jaguars and analyze camera trap photos of jaguars to determine relative abundance, site fidelity, population density, and record observations of unique behaviors
- Organize and review ten years of camera trap data to compile a species list of animals at Runaway Creek
Your impact as a research fellow…
Your work as a research fellow with FWC will have a direct impact on the conservation of howler monkeys and jaguars in Belize. The information you gather during your fellowship will be critical to the successful reintroduction of endangered black howler monkeys. Furthermore, you will have a first-hand impact on the management and protection of jaguars and other threatened species within the Maya Forest Corridor.
Further your studies...
Other topics presented and discussed will include wildlife rehabilitation, tapir research at Runaway Creek, species identification, and basic statistical analysis.
Students may apply from anywhere in the world. You must be fluent in English and have internet fast enough for video calls (minimum 1Mbps) and a computer with video playback, microphone, and sound. No experience with zoos, research, or veterinary medicine is required.
Dates, Meeting Times, Deadlines
Orientation |
Required research team Zoom calls |
Concluding session |
Office hours |
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Sat, July 6: 1pm-3pm ET Sun, July 7: 1pm-3pm ET |
Every Tues and Thurs 6-8pm ET Tues, July 9 Thurs, July 11 Tues, July 16 Thurs, July 18 Tues, July 23 Thurs, July 25 |
Sat, July 27: 1pm-3pm ET |
Thursdays 11am-2pm ET by appointment |