VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PARTICIPATING IN SEATURTLE CONSERVATION CON DAO ISLAND, BA RIA – VUNG TAU, VIETNAM SUMMER 2014

I. Overview of Con Dao National Park and sea turtle conservation program 

1. Introduction about Con Dao National Park

Con Dao National Park (NP) - established in 1993 as a special use forest is one of 30 National Parks in Viet Nam. The Park’s total area is nearly 20,000 hectares (ha), consisting of 6,000 ha of terrestrial and 14,000 ha of marine habitat.

Con Dao National Park is located in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, 185 km south of Vung Tau (106^°31’ – 106^°45’ E long., 8^°34’ – 8^°49’ N lat.)

For more information about the Con Dao island and Con Dao National Park, please visit: http://www.condaopark.com.vn/

Con Dao National Park is recognized by many local and international experts as a potential site with high biodiversity, a diverse ecosystem with many endemic as well as species of globally importance. Con Dao is also one of 16 MPAs planned in Decision 742/QĐ-TTg. In addition, Con Dao has very high potential for tourism development. Con Dao National Park was accepted as the 2203^rd Ramsar site in the world and is the first marine Ramsar site in Vietnam. In November, 2010 the New York Times listed Con Dao as one of the most impressive travel destinations in Southeast Asia. For two consecutive years (2011 – 2012), Lonely Planet (UK) has voted Con Dao as one of the top ten best mystery islands in the world for a romantic holiday.

2. Sea turtle Conservation Program

The marine area surrounding Con Dao forms an important spawning ground for two marine turtle species including the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). Within Con Dao National Park, there are 14 beaches reporting marine turtle nesting. Several large spawning areas include sand flats on Bay Canh, Hon Cau, and Hon Tre islands. 

Each year, from May to October, 400 female turtles lay eggs on the beaches of Con Dao National Park. During the high season (July and August), 10 – 20 turtles are recorded nesting on beaches on Bay Canh and Big Hon Tre Island every night. More than 87% of the eggs laid here successfully hatch, resulting in more than 120,000 baby turtles being rescued and released to the sea.

Since 1994, the management board of Con Dao NP has implemented a marine turtle conservation program with the following activities: (1) research on the biology of marine turtles though tagging, using global positioning system, measurements, etc., (2) protect turtle nesting habitat by patrolling, monitoring, cleaning or moving the nest to safer places, (3) build breeding centres for safe incubation and check and release small turtles.  

Con Dao National Park is the first place in Vietnam to successfully implement the marine turtle conservation program. The turtles nesting in Con Dao account for 85% of the national total. The green turtle population nesting in Con Dao is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Con Dao NP is also recorded in the Guinness Book of Vietnam Records for releasing the highest number of hatchling.  

During the high season from July to August, the Management board of Con Dao NP often in lack personnel resources to carry out the turtle conservation program. As such, we are seeking the support of communities and interested individuals to become involved in the marine turtle conservation program in Con Dao. 

II. Objectives of sea turtle conservation volunteer program (Volunteer Program)

• Enhance awareness of communities about the value and importance of sea turtles by creating an opportunity for them to be involved in marine turtle research and conservation;
• Provide trainings for volunteers to assist the competent staff in marine turtle conservation areas;
• Build capacity for marine turtle conservation Program at sites;

III. Implementing period in summer 2014

• The sea turtle nesting season in Vietnam lasts from April to October, with the highest number of turtles breading between July and September. Thus, the volunteer program is going to take place during two months: beginning of July to the end of August.
• Volunteers will be able to register programs 5 days and/or 10days, depending on time, location, and the number of registrants, volunteer should tick 1 option of timing and program. Registers who send us soonest the Registration Form will be priority selected; 2014 is the first year of the pilot volunteer program therefore we proposed 2 programs schedule as below:

Criteria for volunteer’s selection:

• Interest in the environment, wild animals and sea turtle conservation; being able to participate in all sea turtle protection activities at the request of the organizers.
• Able to afford travel cost to all sea turtle conservation areas in Con Dao
• In good health
• Accident and Health insurance (provide photocopy of insurances)

IV. 5 days Program

Day 1:

-           Morning: arrive at Con Dao airport and check into at hotel

-           Afternoon: visit Con Dao National Park and, if time permits, visit island tourist attractions

Day 2:

-           Morning: join a one-day training course in Con Dao National Park

-           Afternoon: at 4:00pm, travel from the big island to one of the small islands where sea turtles breed

-           Night: patrol sea turtle nesting areas, assist the park rangers to measure eggs, place tags on nesting turtles, move turtle nests to hatching area, release small turtles and guide tourists to safely watch sea turtle nesting activities

Day 3-4:

-           Morning: clean the area around the sea turtle nests

-           Afternoon: teach basic English to park rangers manning park checkpoints

-           Night: patrol sea turtle nesting areas, assist the park staff to measure eggs, place tags on nesting turtles, move turtle nests to hatching area, release small turtles and guide tourists to safely watch sea turtle nesting activities

Day 5:

-           Morning: transit to the big island and go to the airport

V. Advanced program: 10 days

Day 1:

-           Morning: arrive at Con Dao airport and check into hotel

-           Afternoon: visit Con Dao National Park and, if time permits, visit island tourist attractions

Day 2:

-           Morning: join a one-day training course in Con Dao National Park

-           Afternoon: travel from the big island to one of the small islands where sea turtles breed

-           Night: patrol sea turtle nesting areas, assist the park rangers to measure eggs, place tags on nesting turtles, move turtle nests to hatching area, release small turtles and guide tourists to safely watch sea turtle nesting activities

Day 3- 9:

-           Morning: clean the area around the sea turtle nests

-           Afternoon: teach basic English to park rangers manning park checkpoints

-           Night: patrol sea turtles laying eggs at spawning grounds, assist park staff to measure eggs, place tags on nesting turtles, move turtle nests to hatching area, release small turtles and guide tourists to safely watch sea turtle nesting activities.

Day 10:

-           Morning: transit to the big island and go to the airport

VI. Responsibilities and financial obligations of parties:

Volunteers

• Roundtrip airfare to Con Dao
• Health and travel insurance
• Accommodation for the first night at Con Dao Hotel(*)
• Meals: 100,000 VND/day/person(*)
• Entrance to historical sites: 30,000 VND/person
• Bus ticket to tourist attraction sites: 100,000 VND/person (for groups of more than 4 people)
• Airport pick-up: 140,000 VND/person(*)
• Other personal costs (visa, snacks, drinks etc.)

Con Dao National Park:

• Prepare working facilities for volunteers: meeting room, accommodation on small islands
• Provide transportation from the big island to the small island (Hon Cau, Hon Bay Canh and big Hon Tre Island) (*)
• Collaborate with IUCN to organize trainings and field trips for park staff, volunteers (*)
• Issue certificates for volunteers (in cooperation with IUCN) (*)
• Prepare equipment for trainings such as LCD projectors, computers, turtle tagging tools

IUCN – Marine and Coastal Program:

• In the first year of the sea turtle  volunteer program in Con Dao, IUCN and US FWS will support item (*):
• Training materials
• T-shirts for volunteers
• Help organize trainings and field trips for park staffs and volunteers
• Issue certificates for volunteers (together with Con Dao National Park)

End of Program, volunteers will receive certificates and can priority to participate in the volunteer program in the coming year.

VII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can join in the program?  Participants to volunteer program come from all walks of life and have shared interest in helping to ensure a future for endangered and threatened species. The turtle work is strenuous, requiring lots of beach walking at night in a humid, tropical climate on soft sand. Good health is a must for all participants. For those participants less than 18 years old, will need a letter from their parent/supporter.

How is my living condition in the small islands? Volunteer will stay with Con Dao rangers at station in the island (Hon Cau, Hon Bay Canh, Hon Tre lon). In these small islands, the living condition are very basic which are not comfortable, therefore volunteer will feel lacking of comfort. Fresh water is from the rain and being kept in the tank for daily use economically.  Every day, leader of the ranger station will assign tasks for you.

  Will I have any free time? Each day you will have plenty of time to catch up on sleep, explore the surrounding area and meet new friends. Working hours are generally from 9am - 11am; and from 4pm – 6pm; 10pm - 3am;

What should I bring to Con Dao? Casual and comfortable clothes that are easy to wash and dry quickly; good shoes for walking on sand; wide-brimmed hats and sun-block.

How can I register for the program?  To register, please fill out the information sheet (attached in Appendix 1) and email to both address email below Deadline: June 20^th, 2014

Download file Register in here

1. Con Dao National Park – Volunteer Program on Marine Turtle Conservation Email: thang@condaopark.com.vn; Tel: +84 918850332; +84 64363-0080;
2. IUCN – Marine and Coastal program :Email: thuy.lethithanh@iucn.org; Tel: +84 04372-61575; MB: +84976937972