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Internship Abroad Peru: Primatology

Peru 6 to 12 weeks From 2,950 €

Witness the incredible biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest and gain valuable knowledge in primate ecology, behaviour and communication as a participant in this unique internship programme.

Our partner’s yearly summer internship programme focuses on different primatology aspects each year.

The areas that interns study may include space use and movement patterns, nutrition, social and reproductive behaviour, disease ecology or communication systems. Experienced scientists are on site to provide support and impart in-depth knowledge of various methods of data collection and analysis.

As a practical addition to your university studies or as an enriching time-out in nature – primatology interns in Peru will experience an educational adventure in one of the world's most biodiverse regions.

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

Work in an international team amidst the Peruvian rainforest
Acquire knowledge about the primates of the Amazon region
Gain valuable hands-on skills
Practice data collection and analysis
Experience the diversity of the Amazon basin
Each year another internship focus: Contact us and learn more!

Locations

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Amazon Rainforest

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Your research internship in Peru

As a participant in this unique internship programme, you will expand your primatology knowledge and experience the biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest up close.

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Arrival and orientation in Peru

After arriving at Puerto Maldonado International Airport on the first day of the programme, you will be picked up by a staff member and taken to a hostel in the city where you will spend the following night.

The next morning, you will be transferred to your accommodation: our partner's research station, located in the Amazon rainforest at the foot of the southern Andes in Peru.

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Activities during your primatology internship

Each year, interns of the programme will study a different aspect. However, primatology is always in the centre of interest, with a focus on primate behaviour, nutrition, communication, health or reproduction.

Groups always consist of several international participants who are guided and supported by experienced scientists.

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Usually, participants go on full or half-day tours through the Amazon to follow selected primate groups and record data. Collecting samples will also be a frequent task.

Occasionally you will stay close to the research station. When collecting data, you will be trained in using a range of specific tools or research methods such as radiotelemetry.

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After returning to the research station in the late afternoon or early evening, you will finally start to store the data in a database and evaluate it.

The knowledge you gain will contribute to a deeper understanding of tamarin monkeys and, depending on the area of focus, to derive appropriate conservation measures.

You would like to learn about this year’s internship? Please don’t hesitate to contact us – we are happy to give you more information.

Accommodation as an intern

During your time as an intern you will live on the grounds of our partner's research station, located in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.

The station has a laboratory, a classroom, a library, a dining room and two dormitories. These are equipped with bunk beds and shared bathrooms.

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Every day you will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Small snacks are also offered in between.

Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado and after leaving the research station at the end of the course you will also spend one night in a hostel in the city. During your hostel stay you will be provided with breakfast, whereas lunch and dinner are your own responsibility.

Leisure time in Peru

Every now and then, you will have time to pursue your own activities. We therefore recommend bringing some movies, series and books with you. You can also borrow a book from the extensive library of the research station.

Arrival

Arrival and transfer to the research station

On the official start day of the internship programme you will arrive at Puerto Maldonado International Airport, be picked up from there and transferred to a hostel in the city where you will stay overnight. The day of your arrival is perfect for running some last errands before being transferred to the Amazon Rainforest research station the next day.

The day after your arrival in Puerto Maldonado, you and the other internship participants will leave the hotel and head for a boat station. After a several-hour boat trip on the Madre de Dios River you will reach your accommodation: the research station of our partner, located in the midst of the rainforest.

Here you can settle in before receiving an overview of the upcoming programme and important rules of conduct and safety. Depending on how much time is left, you will take part in a first rainforest activity in the afternoon before enjoying your first communal dinner in the station's large hall.
Internship

Primate research in Peru: Typical day

Your day as an intern usually starts before the sun rises. After a light breakfast, you and your team members will set off for the rainforest where you will dedicate yourself to selected research activities.

At lunchtime you can take a break and either enjoy your refreshment in the middle of the rainforest or make your way back to the station. In the afternoon, the internship programme is usually continued.

The second half of the day is usually spent preparing and filing the data you have collected. The day is finally concluded with dinner together.
Departure

Last days of the internship and departure

After breakfast on the second-last day of the internship you will return to Puerto Maldonado, where you will spend another night in a guest house. On the following day, the official last day of your internship, you can finally start your journey home or onward.

There is also the option of leaving or continuing your journey on the day you return to Puerto Maldonado. However, this should be planned for the afternoon hours.

FAQ – Learn more about this trip

Learn what others say about their Natucate adventure.

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Review Internship Abroad Peru – Aida

“I found it particularly great to have the opportunity to gain an insight into each team’s work.”

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Review Internship Abroad Peru – Lydia

“But not only did I adapt, I even learned to love it. I fell in love with the forest, the animals, and the green and for the first time I had the feeling that my work was contributing something valuable to the world. [...] I recommend this project to anyone who is looking for a special challenge, beautiful nature or professional prospects.”

1. Amazon Rainforest

About 13% of the approximately 5,500,000 km² Amazon rainforest is located in Peru. As in other countries in South America where the Amazon rainforest is found, the Amazon rainforest in Peru is a real biodiversity hotspot due to its many endemic animal and plant species.

The avifauna in particular is one of the richest in species worldwide. With over 1800 species, more birds live here than in Europe and North America together. But also large numbers of insects, reptiles and mammals can be found in the green depths and make the jungle of Peru an absolute must-see for all South American travellers and nature lovers.

Learn more

About 13% of the approximately 5,500,000 km² Amazon rainforest is located in Peru. As in other countries in South America where the Amazon rainforest is found, the Amazon rainforest in Peru is a real biodiversity hotspot due to its many endemic animal and plant species.

The avifauna in particular is one of the richest in species worldwide. With over 1800 species, more birds live here than in Europe and North America together. But also large numbers of insects, reptiles and mammals can be found in the green depths and make the jungle of Peru an absolute must-see for all South American travellers and nature lovers.

Learn more

Background of the primatology internship

Small, fast-moving, and highly arboreal – tamarin monkeys are considered one of the most difficult primate species to study. Areas that are looked at during this primatology internship programme include habitat use and movement patterns, disease ecology, communication or social and reproductive behaviour.

The latter includes, for example, research into the phenomenon of reproductive suppression: All male primates of a group are significantly involved in caring for the offspring so that the reproductive system can be understood as a cooperative breeding. To make sure all males get involved in the breeding process and avoid competition, the dominant female has a suppressing influence on the ovulation of younger, inferior females in the group.

Phenomena such as these are studied by trainees in the wild using various methods and tools. "In the wild", that means in Peru's breathtaking Amazon rainforest, home to an incredible variety of rare and endemic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects – making it the perfect backdrop for your internship adventure.