Passerine Conservation Biologist

Passerine Conservation Biologist

We are seeking a motivated and passionate nature lover to join our Fauna team! As a
conservationist, you will have the unique opportunity to work with endangered endemic species,
contribute to protect and preserve their ecosystems.

Job Brief

Work to save the Mauritius Fody from extinction!

Main responsibilities

• Monitoring bird movements and behaviours.
• Searching for territories and mapping using QGIS.
• Capture (mist net) and ringing of all individuals.
• Identification of all individuals using leg rings.
• Data entry and report writing.

Essential requirements

• At least 21 years old.
• A BSc in a Biological Science.
• Manual driving licence is an advantage.
• Experience / proven interest in conservation.
• Experience surveying passerine species.
• Experience mist netting and ringing passerine species.
• Can work outdoors in all conditions.
• Physically active.

Location

Black River Gorges National Park

Conditions

Will be discussed at interview.

Recruitment and selection process

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e-mail, which will be followed by an interview for
the strongest candidates.

For any queries e-mail at [email protected].

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.mauritian-wildlife.org

Supplementary information

This position best suits those that are passionate about nature and its protection, can work in
a team, can challenge themselves and are looking to gain new skills and experiences.

Our projects

We have five long-term projects that focus on the conservation of our most threatened endemic
bird species i.e., these species are found nowhere else in the world. All five species
populations declined dramatically post colonisation due to habitat destruction and introduced
predator and competitor species along with a host of other factors.

Conservation techniques utilised by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to date include clutch
and brood manipulations, captive breeding, captive rearing, reintroductions, the provision of
supplementary food, the provision of artificial nest sites, control of introduced species and
close monitoring of the population.

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has had great success restoring each of these species’
populations, but there is much work left to be done to secure their long-term survival. This is
our main mission at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, to save species from extinction.

Passerine Conservation Biologist – Mauritius Fody project (ref: MF – 2024)

The Mauritius Fody (Foudia rubra) is a small songbird. The conservation management of
this species has included ‘marooning’ birds from the mainland on the nature reserve island of Ile aux
Aigrettes to create a new subpopulation. The Mauritius Fody is listed as Endangered.

The mainland population of Mauritius Fody needs surveying to confirm whether there have been
any changes in the population since the last survey was conducted. This requires visiting areas
where the Mauritius Fody was known to previously occur and confirm presence / absence in these areas. Once the current distribution is confirmed, closer surveying will be done through
the capture and ringing of pairs within their territories.

The position

Involves intensive fieldwork, surveying large areas of forest. It will entail long days working
in all weather conditions, and at times, surveying alone in the forest. An understanding of
passerine behaviour and passerine surveying is essential.