Fauna Forever currently manages a long-term wildlife monitoring project called Fauna Forever Tambopata (FFT), specialising in mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and trees; an animal welfare project called Animal Welfare Forever, focussing on both domestic pets and some captive wild species (kept by other organizations); an environmental education and awareness initiative centred on schools in Puerto Maldonado and surrounding villages; an ecosystem services project, involving the economic valuation of intact forest; a mini-conservation corridor project called Forest Corridors Forever; a series of workshops focussing on (a) bird banding/ringing and handling techniques (Bird Ringing Forever, in collaboration with CORBIDI), (b) wildlife photography (Untamed Photography), and (c) statistical techniques. A lot of what we do helps various groups improve their knowledge acquisition methods and encourages them to make better land-use planning decisions to reduce impacts on the environment and to maximise human wellbeing.

To help our core team of Peruvian and international staff undertake and manage these initiatives, and to help us answer some deeper ecological and socio-economic questions revealed by our work, we have developed over many years what are now called the Fauna Forever Intern Program (FF Intern Program) and the Fauna Forever–Tambopata National Reserve Volunteer Program (FF-TNR Volunteer Program).

The FF Intern Program requires interested candidates to officially apply for one of our limited number of intern positions, either directly through us or one of our partner agencies in Peru, UK, South Africa, and USA. This can be done using our Intern Application Form.

We can accommodate up to 5 interns per month, and intern periods can stretch from 1-12 months (mean = 3 months). Some intern applicants express an interest in undertaking their own small research project, either as a dissertation requirement, to obtain extra credits from their university, or simply to get further experience of planning and executing such projects in a tropical environment. We are very happy to accommodate this type of project, and can provide the necessary supervision and guidance both in the planning and execution stages. Indeed, we also supply a list of potential mini-project titles to help successful candidates choose an appropriate study subject (download mini project ideas by clicking the button alongside). We can also review other research questions, although acceptance of these would be dependent on identifying an appropriate field supervisor (supplied by Fauna Forever). All interns receive a general orientation and induction course at the start of their visit, after which they are assigned to one or other of our project staff, though swapping in and out of different projects is also possible.

Typically, a Fauna Forever intern will spend about 4-5 hours a day focussed on activities either in the Fauna Forever house/office, around Puerto Maldonado or off in the field. During the rest of their time, interns are free to explore the area, improve their Spanish language skills, coordinate fun activities with other interns and staff, and mingle with visiting volunteers and researchers. At least a basic knowledge of Spanish is encouraged, though it is not a pre-requisite as most interns pick up at least some Spanish during their time here.