Conservation Intern @ Lang Tengah Island

Lang Tengah Turtle Watch is looking for someone willing to gain experience in an unpaid internship position in practical conservation work based on Lang Tengah Island on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Safeguarding of the nesting sea turtle populations – predominantly green turtles, as well as hawksbill turtles – on Lang Tengah Island, Terengganu, relies on our constant and continued presence on the island, as this is the main deterrent to egg poachers. Living 24 hours a day in our camp, we regularly patrol the nesting beaches on the island by night, relocating any nests that are laid on other beaches back to the safety of Turtle Bay.

Internship Duration

Starting as soon as possible, or, June 2023 (minimum 3 months)

Work Description

Your main role will be to become a fully integrated team member, which may include, but is not limited to, the following:

Conduct nightly patrol on nesting beaches to record nesting activities, biometric and photo-ID data of nesting females, relocate nests (if necessary) and mark the nests.
Monitor turtle nests and conduct post-emergence nest excavation to determine hatching and emergence success.
Carry out coral research and monitoring dives.
Give informative talks to resort guests about sea turtles, conservation and the organisation.
Help to coordinate and carry out beach cleanups and outreach programmes involving schools and corporate groups.
Train and lead the volunteers in all activities, including taking volunteers on leisure excursions (jungle trekking, snorkelling, kayaking).
Update LTTW social media platforms (e.g. Facebook and Instagram).
Ensure the camp is kept clean and tidy, ensuring there is enough water to drink and food to eat, as well as partaking in other camp daily chores such as cleaning and stock-takes.
Adhere to all safety measures, protocols, procedures and budgets as directed by LTTW.
Assist in any other duties that may be required including cover for team member’s leave and illness, shop for project supplies and participate in local events.

You should be relatively fit and acquainted with the rigours of outdoor living, and be prepared to participate in all our conservation activities, which can be fairly physically demanding. As part of a small team, you are also expected to provide cover for other interns.

Free Time

Turtles aside, we try to make your experience with us as fun and interactive as possible. You can experience all the island has to offer during your free time. These activities include: trekking through the jungle to secluded snorkelling spots, cliff jumping, playing games on camp and more! There is also the option to go scuba diving on the island but this is at an additional cost at your own expense.

Accommodation

You need to feel comfortable living in a stripped-back and open-air camp, which lies slightly recessed behind the secluded beach of Turtle Bay. Think rustic, jungle living – bucket-showers and campfires.

Take a tour around our campsite with this video made by our volunteers:

General Requirements:

Good knowledge of English
Good knowledge of Malay and Mandarin is an advantage
Organised and have strong attention to details
Able to live and work in a small team as well as individually when necessary
Expect to work long hours, throughout the day and night, often with irregular or little sleep
Eager to learn about marine biology and conservation, specifically sea turtle biology, ecology and conservation
Experience in public outreach and engagement preferred
Have initiative and possess flexible and adaptive approaches to problems
Culturally sensitive
Confident swimmer
Certified diver is an advantage
Must be competent in Windows OS and Microsoft Office

This is an unpaid internship position. However, Lang Tengah Turtle Watch will cover your in-country land travel to/from project site, food and accommodation whilst on the project. You will prepare your own breakfast, and take turns to cook lunch and dinner every day.

If you feel you’re the right person to be part of our young, passionate and dynamic team of conservationists, please do send through a copy of your C.V. and a cover letter to our Operations & Administrative Coordinator, Mary, at mary@langtengahturtlewatch.org with LT Conservation Intern as the subject heading.