Voluntary work with dolphins

Over the past five decades, the population of bottlenose dolphins in the Adriatic Sea has declined by around 50 percent. The decline is largely due to the killing of marine mammals in the 1960s, when they were considered a plague. Although this practice is now illegal and the animals are protected, there could (potentially) be further depletion of the population due to human influences such as overfishing, an increase in tourism, underwater noise and other disturbances.

Project information:
The project was established in 2002 for the protection and conservation of the last remaining bottlenose dolphins in the northeast Adriatic. It is the only project in Istria dedicated to dolphin conservation and research. Its work is essential for understanding the factors influencing the local dolphin population and for educating the public.

Location:
Zambratija is a village on the Croatian coast, on the Istrian peninsula, in the northeast of the Adriatic Sea. Here you have a beautiful view of the sea and there are countless olive trees. A short bike ride from the research base along the coast offers panoramic views of Slovenia and Italy with the Alps - a breathtaking backdrop!

Typical day:
Your support is important for the protection of the dolphin population in a sensitive ecosystem. During the first few days, you will receive information in the morning about topics related to marine mammals and the marine ecosystem.

Your tasks:
Your supportive commitment is important for the protection of the dolphin population in a sensitive ecosystem. In the first few days, you will receive information in the morning about topics related to marine mammals and the marine ecosystem.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with breakfast together, during which you will be informed about the tasks of the day ahead. After that, you will analyze data or help with social media management. Lunch is taken with the other team members and prepared together.

In the early afternoon, you and the team will go out to sea to observe the dolphins, which of course depends on the weather – you can't go out by boat every day. If the weather is good, the observation can last until 8:30 pm.