Organisation / Philippine Spotted Deer Conservation Foundation
Reference / 2011 Critical Habitat program
Location / Panay Island
Position Type / Volunteer/Temporary
Part/Full Time / Full Time
Closing Date / 15 Sep 10
Website / www.psdcf.org
Contact / Renee Galang
Contact Email / renee@rafflesialobata.org

Details:
Philippine Spotted Deer Conservation Foundation is a self funded organisation based in Melbourne Australia and operates in Panay and surrounding Islands in the Philippines. The 2011 program is still being developed and it is promising to be a spectacular program. This is becuase the local government including DENR have asked PSCDF to assist in the proclamation process of the northern section of the central Panay mountain ranges to become a protected area or "Critical Habitat" as part of the Philippine Wildlife Act 2001 for the many threatened species living in this jungle including the critically threatened Philippine Spotted Deer. This is the same area where PSDCF jungle fieldwork is being performed and where Rafflesia lobata was discovered. PSDCF has been very proactive in trying to convince since 2004 the local government and DENR to protect this jungle because it is still very wild and has large population of the Spotted Deer, Visayan warty pig, Whritted-Billed hornbill, Tarrictic hornbill, Varanus mabitang (very large monitor lizard), Panay cloudrat and now Rafflesia lobata. All these species excluding the Rafflesia are threatened species. The hard work of PSDCF including its volunteers is continuing to produce valuable result. When this new "Critical Habitat" protected area is finally approved by the Philippine congress and signed by the current Philippine president in 2011 or 2012 then this will become a spectacular achievement by the PSDCF and its volunteers.

PSDCF is seeking expressions of interest for volunteers that would assist in the fieldwork and other activities for the fieldwork stage of the proclamation process of the new protected area. From aspiring conservationist to zoologist, botanist to even photographer/videographer etc are encouraged to email Renee Galang. Once the final program has been designed and dates established (very soon) Renee will contact everyone to offer volunteer placement. The fieldwork program will most likely start in January and end in May 31. Maximum of 7 volunteers at any given time with a minimum stay of 2 weeks. Please visit the website for a view of the previous volunteer program and further information on PSDCF. Do not hesitate to email Renee for further information.

Volunteers will experience real hands on conservation work and live amongst local fishing communities in Panay and numerous small tropical islands. Each volunteer will require to contribute AUS$200.00 per week to cover his/her consumables, porter and guides, accommodation and transport needs. For more information please visit www.psdcf.org and email Renee on renee@rafflesialobata.org