Field courses in social structure and behaviour of the bottlenose dolphin in the Sardinia Island (Italy)

Dear All!
The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) and the non-profit association "Accademia del Leviatano" would like to announce it's next field courses in social structure and behaviour of the bottlenose dolphin in the Sardinia Island (Italy):
The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Courses
Since 1991, the "Accademia del Leviatano" has supported the internships of numerous students. Some of them have become steady collaborators and researchers of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI). The BDRI project carries out boat-based photo-identification surveys on the North-East coast of Sardinia. This research is designed to provide an understanding of the population characteristics of Sardinia dolphins.Interested applicants should correspond by email to:
If you would like to apply for a research course with the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute please check these guidelines carefully:
1) Send the BDRI an email with the application form duly completed, inquiring about the possibility of working with us. Be specific about research interests and period of participation. It is very useful to be informed about the BDRI's background, research interests and publications and point out ways that interests interface.
2) Although the internships are primarily targeted to university students, it is open to anyone with a deep interest in the practical aspects of dolphin research. Previous experience with dolphin research is not required. Instead, enthusiasm, and interest in research and conservation issues are necessary. An excellent knowledge of English is not necessary to participate in internship programmes with the BDRI.
3) Role of Interns: they will help in many aspects of data collection, but always under the supervision of the Researcher. Volunteers receive training instructions thorough practical training sessions in Sardinia before going into the field. There may be as many as 6 interns during a single week of research, but no more than 6 people will be working with the researcher or participating in a survey at any one time. Our volunteer procedures are the same we have been following since the initiation of the Bottlenose Dolphin Project in 1999.
Volunteer Tasks Include:
a. Interns will assist the researcher by photographing dolphin dorsal fins to aid with individual identifications. b. An intern will record environmental data at the dock and in the vicinity of dolphins (environmental data collection will include the following tasks to be assigned to different volunteers: depth determination, wind speed determination, water and air temperature determination, and salinity determination. All data collected will be told to a data tape-recorder.) c. An intern will record all dolphins sighting information on a data tape-recorder or data sheet including location name, latitude and longitude, photographs taken of dolphins, total number of animals, and number of calves, initial behaviour, field times, and direct dolphin observation time. They will also record any pertinent comments regarding the encounter as noted by the Researcher. d. A volunteer will determine latitude and longitude by using a Global Positioning System receiver and keep track of all relevant times. e. A volunteer will record group activity patterns during behavioural surveys. f. A volunteer may videotape dolphin encounters. g. Volunteers will assist in unloading and cleaning all equipment, as well as transcribing and analyzing data, reviewing dorsal fin photos and data entry at the field station.
4) Twelve courses are offered during the 2005 springtime field season: From April to June 2005, every week.
The price is 350.- EURO one week and 600 Euro two weeks including dolphin watching research excursions,accommodation, full training program, scientific supervision, donation to B.D.R.I. & a certificate of attendance. The journey to and from the field base (Golfo Aranci - Sardinia) is not included in the prize.
5) BDRI interns participating in field work activities are normally asked to contribute to all aspects of the research programme, including the upkeep of materials, house- or boat-keeping, cooking, cleaning, etc.
6) All data originating from the work done by interns in collaboration with BDRI are entirely the property of BDRI & Accademia del Leviatano. In case of presentation of the data during a scientific conference or in any other public context, authorship (including main author and co-authors) is entirely the BDRI team decision. "Personal communication", "BDRI unpublished data", and similar ways of presenting data collected and analyzed by others are acceptable only if the persons involved have approved such citations. Written authorization may be required at the BDRI advisor.
7) Space is limited in the field base. There are two rooms shared by 3-4 internships. Bring only the necessary gear, as there will be little storage space in the room. Bedding is not furnished; bring your own blanket/sleeping bag. The BDRI don’t provide bathroom towels, beach towel, soap, shampoo etc.
9) People working and living together into a research project creates an unusual social/work environment. In this environment, other wise minor incidents can gain great importance. Be aware that your own feelings may intensify during the courses and try to keep things in perspective. If you have difficulty working with someone, feel threatened see the Chief Researcher. It is of utmost importance to the Scientist that volunteers and researchers are comfortable and happy working and living in the field base. They want to know of a problem as soon as it arises so they can help resolve the issue and prevent an exacerbation of the problem.
10) BDRI interns should sign a statement where they accept the research and working conditions taking full responsibility for the risks. Moreover, the volunteer is in charge of providing an insurance that covers the risks of the student itself when engaged in the field work.

Bruno Díaz López
Research Biologist / Marine Zoologist
Chief Researcher
The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute
V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfio Aranci (SS) Italy http://www.geocities.com/B_D_R_I B_D_R_I@yahoo.com


Email contact address:
B_D_R_I@yahoo.com
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Publications in conjunction with the work of the B.D.R.I & Leviathan Academy:

1. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.. and Polo, F., 2001. "Evolution of a bottlenose dolphins population in the Noth-Eastern waters of Sardinia (Italy)". Poster presented at the 15th Annual Conference European Cetacean Society. Rome, 6 – 10 May 2001.
2. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. "Behaviour ecology study of bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821) along north-eastern coast of Sardinia". Talk presented at the "5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine". 6 – 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy.
3. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. "Fast ferries influence on the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), presence and social structure in waters of north-eastern Sardinia". Poster presented at the "5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine". 6 – 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy.
4. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. "Photo-Identification of bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), in waters of north-eastern Sardinia". Poster presented at the "5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine". 6 – 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy.
5. Polo, F; Díaz López, B.; Marini, L. & Brovelli, M., 2002. "Fast ferries influence on the bottlenose dolphin presence and social structure in waters of North-eastern Sardinia". In: European Research on Cetaceans-16 (Ed.PG.H Evans) Proc. 16th Annual Conference European Cetacean Society. Univ. Liege, April 2002. Belgium.
6. Díaz López, B.; Marini, L.; Polo, F. & Brovelli, M., 2002. " Photo-identification of bottlenose dolphin in waters of north-eastern Sardinia". In: European Research on Cetaceans-16 (Ed.PG.H Evans) Proc. 16th Annual Conference European Cetacean Society. Univ. Liege, April 2002. Belgium.
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The non-profit association "Accademia del Leviatano" is registred and based in Rome. The objectives of the association are conservation, research and education in order to protect cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea.