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Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute
The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) , is a marine science centre dedicated to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat through education and research. From our headquarter in O Grove, Galicia (NW Spain), we work to protect marine life in the Atlantic Ocean and beyond by encouraging research and training in marine conservation biology.

The project is based in the North-western coast of Spain (Galicia), an important hotspot for cetaceans and marine birds, and offers the participants the chance to work during many steps of the field research and data analysis. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and an important area of upwelling, Galicia is considered to be one of the most productive oceanic regions on the world; nor surprisingly this is Spain's main fishing region. No fewer than 22 cetacean species have been recorded in Galician waters over the years. Bottlenose dolphins, minke whales, fin whales, harbour porpoises, short-beaked common dolphins, Risso's dolphins, pilot whales, blue whales, and humpback whales have been recorded quite frequently by the BDRI in 2017. Moreover, BDRI is a cooperative regional stranding network partner and works to respond to cetaceans, seals, and marine turtles strandings.

The BDRI training/internships program is an exciting opportunity for students and recent graduates interested in a career in marine science to obtain field and laboratory training in marine mammals and marine birds research. Interns can expect to gain a solid foundation in ecology and sociobiology with a focus on cetaceans ethology, habitat use, and communication. As an intern, you will be encouraged to work hard and gain an insight of what it is actually like to work as a marine mammal researcher. Interns will be trained to participate with multiple research projects involving a combination of boat-based and land-based surveys, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc), and strandings (response, rescue, necropsy, and data collection). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English.
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Thesis research