ECHO PARAKEET PROGRAMME JOB DESCRIPTION Echo Parakeet Conservation Biologist WORK DESCRIPTION:

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1 Job Title: Location of Work: Post holder reports to: ECHO PARAKEET PROGRAMME JOB DESCRIPTION Echo Parakeet Conservation Biologist Black River Gorges National Park Echo Parakeet Project Coordinator WORK DESCRIPTION: The Echo Parakeet Recovery Programme manages Echo Parakeets throughout the year but with an intense focal period through the breeding season August to February. The major objective of the field team is to maximise productivity of breeding birds using minimal management techniques. The team focuses on several key areas in order to achieve this objective. They include: providing supplementary food through the season; protecting all nest sites from predators and nest site competitors; locating new nest sites and ensuring they are safe from predators/competitors; providing additional nest sites in the form of nest boxes; gathering key breeding data (clutch size/fertility, hatch rate, fledge rate, juvenile survival rate etc). The recent development of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) in the echo parakeet population has placed great importance on the need to disease screen the population. As such a second major objective of the field team is to ascertain the prevalence and virulence of PBFD in wild echo and ringneck parakeets; and to monitor the spread and impact of the disease in the echo population. This objective will be achieved with the following: obtaining PCR and Serum blood samples from wild echo and ringneck parakeets; closely monitoring all known echos but in particular the regular hopper using birds and new recruits; documenting the development of the disease in individual parakeets. Due to PBFD strict hygiene protocols are followed in all relevant areas of echo management. MAIN DUTIES: 1. Visit echo parakeet nest sites and ascertain the breeding status of individuals; check for egg laying, hatching (includes health observations of chicks), fledging. 2. Follow strict hygiene protocols for nest visits, disinfect all equipment between nest visits 3. Carry out predator proofing/cavity modifications on nest sites as required during the season 4. Search for and locate new unknown echo parakeet nest cavities 5. Assist with setting up new nest sites to be predator and weather proof 6. Evict nest site competitors (bees, wasps, Indian mynah birds, Indian ringneck parakeets, white-tailed tropicbirds) from traditional Echo parakeet nest sites 7. Ensure supplementary food is provided to echos at four communal feeding sites between Plaine Lievre and Bel Ombre; and ensure hoppers are maintained in a hygienic state. 8. Assist with building and erecting nest boxes near the end of the breeding season 9. Carry out end of season nest site maintenance work, including disinfecting all cavities and nest boxes 10. Monitor the wild population of Mauritius Echo Parakeets at the field station (Plaine Lievre and in the field); includes identifying individuals, observing for signs of PBFD, placing colour rings on chicks; monitoring fledglings post fledge. 11. Take blood samples of echo and ringneck parakeets at their nest sites as required. 12. Assist with the general day to day running/maintenance of the field station and vehicles 13. Contribute to management protocols and plans as required.

2 IN GENERAL: 1. Maintain a high standard of data collection and reporting across all areas of the project, including detailed and accurate bird observations. 2. Work to high standards of safety (particularly when tree climbing and using power tools) 3. Work long hours and six days a week, living in the field 4. A high standard of practical work required in all areas- quality over quantity! 5. Cooperate amicably with staff from other teams/organisations (i.e. MWF, NPCS, University of Mauritius)

3 MAURITIUS FODY PROJECT JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Sites: Mauritius Fody Conservation Biologist Ile aux Aigrettes/Black River Gorges National Parks Main Duties In General 1. Oversee the monitoring of the released population of the Mauritius Fody on Ile aux Aigrettes 2. Manage all team members employed or volunteering on the project 3. Ensure all staff members and staff delegated by the National Parks and Conservation Service are trained in field work techniques and protocols. 1. Maintain a high level of data collection and reporting across all areas of the project. 2. Provide regular reports of the work 3. Cooperate amicably with staff from other teams, organisations and the public and ensure the high standard of work throughout the organisation.

4 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Location of Work: Post holder reports to: Black River Gorges National Park and Ile aux Aigrettes Pink Pigeon Project Coordinator (PPPC) and Assistant Pink Pigeon Project Coordinator (APPPC) Overall Purpose of the Job: The Pink Pigeon recovery programme has seen the restoration of this endangered species from only 10 individuals in 1990 to over 400 individuals in The long-term survival of the species depends upon the management of the sub-populations and habitat restoration. The post holder will be responsible for assisting to manage (if there is a more senior field staff at the assigned site) or managing the sub-population, at the assigned field station, of this Mauritian endemic and to develop the project to ensure the future survival of the species. This position forms part of a team of staff and volunteers dedicated to the conservation of the Pink Pigeon. The post holder will be responsible for all work relating to the Pink Pigeons that takes place at their assigned site if they are the most senior field staff. When you have been trained you will be expected to train and supervise staff & volunteers and carry out sub-population management and monitoring, nest location and monitoring, predator control and the production of reports. The work will often involve lone working in remote, rugged upland locations with basic living accommodation and little contact with those outside of the organisation. You will live and work with people from a range of backgrounds, often in close quarters with basic facilities and limited personal living space. Main Duties:. 1. Monitor the wild Pink Pigeon population through observations of individuals and breeding pairs. These observations will usually take place in the Black River Gorges National Parks forests and Ile aux Aigrettes and must be collected from dawn to dusk. 2. Ensure the accurate collection of data on Pink Pigeon population parameters such as survival and recruitment, breeding behaviour, health of individuals and nesting attempts. You will then use this data to produce detailed and accurate monthly reports on the Pink Pigeon activity at your sub-population. These reports may be used to provide information to current and future project workers, existing and potential funders and research students 3. Carry out efficient and effective predator and exotic bird control using a variety of live and kill trapping and poisoning techniques in areas of forest highlighted as important for Pink Pigeons.

5 4. Ensure that the Pink Pigeons are offered a constant supply of supplementary food and that all feeding containers are kept clean. 5. Provide training and supervision to staff and volunteers on all aspects of work relating to the Pink Pigeon project at your assigned site and at other sites if required to do so. 6. After training, if you are the most senior field staff on site, assume responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of your designated field stations, aviaries, traps, vehicles and other equipment and infrastructure related to the project. This will involve carrying out basic maintenance checks, keeping all field stations and equipment clean and tidy, taking vehicles or equipment for servicing and reporting to Head office any matters you are not able to deal with and following this up to ensure it is carried out. 7. To ensure the safety of yourself and any staff reporting to you at all times ensuring that staff are fully trained in safety procedures and follow them. 8. Other activities such as additional training of new staff, post mortem examinations, radio tracking, GPS data collection, ringing of birds, plant monitoring etc. may be required and you will be expected to carry out these duties when identified by the Pink Pigeon Project Coordinator or Fauna Manager 9. Assist, if required, the Pink Pigeon Project Coordinator and Assistant Pink Pigeon Project Coordinator in responsibilities such as the management of subpopulations, staff training, disease treatment of sick or injured birds and liaison with local and international funders. 10. Assist, if required by your supervisor, with research projects taking place at the field station. 11. Participate in presentations of your project or of the work of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation when required.