Volunteer Service Abroad is on the look out for a biologist and a community development specialist to work in Vietnam’s
Cat Tien National Park – home to five to 10 of an estimated 70 Javan Rhinos remaining in the world.
The volunteers will be part of a joint project between the Vietnamese Government and the World Wide Fund for Nature to,
among other things, save one of the world’s most endangered mammals.
Cat Tien National Park covers more than 74,000 hectares, in three different provinces, and is home to at least 55
species of mammals, 300 types of birds, and 40 species of reptiles. Other endangered species in the park include the
Indochinese tiger, reticulated python and the green peafowl. Rare, but not yet endangered, animals include leopards, red
giant flying squirrels, white winged wood ducks and black ibis.
The community development specialist will work alongside the park’s estimated 7000 inhabitants – about half of which
belong to two indigenous ethnic groups.
The specialist will help develop income-generating opportunities with a net conservation benefit for the park and local
population and work to help enhance understanding and awareness of conservation issues amongst the park staff and local
communities.
The biologist will be working alongside park staff in designing and implement ecological surveys, formulating a
management plan, and developing resource materials for local primary and secondary schools.
The deadline for applications for both positions, which are expected to commence in August, is Friday 26 May.
VSA is a not-for-profit international development agency that has been placing New Zealand volunteers in developing
countries since 1962. At present it has more than 80 volunteers working in the South Pacific, Asia and Africa.
VSA volunteers receive a living allowance, plus free accommodation, airfares, and utilities.
For further information about the above positions contact: Margie Meates, VSA, P O Box 12-246, Wellington, Ph 04 472
5759, fax 04 472 5050, email: mmeatres@vsa.org.nz
More information about the Javan Rhino and Cat Tien National Park can be found at: www.blakup.demon.nl/cat_tien
For more information about VSA visit our website: www.vsa.org.nz