This animal internship takes place in Japan, specifically on the island of Okinawa, in the south of the country.

Various Missions

You will have the opportunity to take part in various missions depending on the time of year.

• From April to the end of July, as an intern, you will participate in night patrols on the beaches to monitor and support the nesting activity.

• In August and September, you will witness the hatching of baby turtles.

• Throughout the year, you will be involved in beach clean-ups, environmental education initiatives, fundraising events, data analysis, and various other activities, all aimed at contributing to sea turtle conservation.

Your Roles

The missions may vary throughout the year, but volunteers are generally expected to:

• Organize and participate in large beach clean-ups twice a month (involving 30 to 100 local volunteers each time).
• Develop educational materials and lead programs in local schools.
• Analyze data using specialized software.
• Take part in international data exchange initiatives.
• Plan events (Fun Run, Turtle Festival in October, ocean-themed art exhibitions) in collaboration with sponsors, local authorities, and businesses, while proposing new initiatives.
• Assist with administrative tasks: marketing, fundraising, donor communications, flyer and merchandise creation.
• Help organize camps for children and teenagers during spring, summer, and winter (each camp lasts 1 to 2 weeks).
• Contribute to the development of an interactive online map to identify sea turtles based on photos uploaded by divers and tourists.
• Many coastal areas remain undocumented. The organization plans to train its own team of divers (6 to 10 divers working daily) to systematically map Okinawa’s main coastline.
• Collaborate with fishing associations and government agencies to promote sea turtle conservation.

April to July: Your Role in Night Patrols

Observing nesting activity and assisting local professionals

• Identify signs of nesting.
• Alert a nesting technician to mark, measure, and collect additional data.
• Observe and document mother turtles’ behaviors, including movement, nesting, and hatching.
• Assist in relocating nests if necessary.
• Collect waste from the beach, including ghost nets, to improve nesting conditions.

Nest Protection

• Protect nests from predators such as dogs and crabs.
• Install infrared cameras to monitor hatching.
• Ensure baby turtles reach the ocean safely.

Rescue and Examination of Turtles

• Assist in transporting injured turtles to the Churaumi Aquarium for treatment.
• Observe and assist in necropsies of deceased turtles to analyze causes of death (drowning, plastic ingestion, boat collisions, etc.).

Data Collection

• Record data on nesting, hatching, and mortality for long-term research.

August and September: Your Role during Hatching Period

During these months, you will assist baby turtles and analyze nests. You will also carry out long-term missions throughout the year. Each period has its own unique tasks and learning opportunities, providing you with an enriching and unforgettable experience.