Mediterranean Tortoise Conservation & Ecosystem Regeneration Internships: Intern abroad in Tetouan, Morocco

Internship details

Regenerative conservation strives to balance the economic interests of communities with environmental integrity. In Morocco, this Mediterranean Tortoise Conservation & Ecosystem Regeneration program takes an innovative and holistic approach to conservation efforts.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided. Click here to view remote Environmental & Marine Sciences internships, which you can undertake from home.

Led by a professional Naturalist with more than 20 years of experience, come prepared to learn about the design and operation of environmental programs, ecological restoration, and grassroots conservation education efforts. With a strong belief that regeneration is the future of environmental management worldwide, the importance of environmental stewardship is a key theme within this internship experience.

The Mediterranean Tortoise Conservation & Ecosystem Regeneration internship takes place at the organization’s operational base, situated within a private reserve spanning 5 hectares in the Tetouan province. There are three nearby cities of interest, the closest being the Mediterranean port town of Tetouan. From Tetouan to either Tangier (the “gateway to Europe”) or Chefchaouen (the picturesque “Blue City”), the drive is approximately 90 minutes to either city.

Tortoises in this region face several threats, including:

• Habitat fragmentation caused by agriculture and livestock.
• Illegal collection for trade or as pets.
• Mortality related to infrastructure and human activity.
• Lack of natural shelter and food during dry seasons.

For this reason, tortoise conservation is not addressed in isolation, but as part of a broader ecosystem restoration project, which also includes work with other indicator species such as chameleons and birds, and the recovery of functional ecological corridors.

Year-round activities are also related to rehabilitation of rescued wildlife, plant nursery activities (e.g. propagation, maintenance etc), forest regeneration, environmental restoration workshops, and community cultural events for sustainability education. The goal of the program is not only to protect individual animals, but to:

• Contribute to the stability of local populations.
• Improve habitat quality and connectivity.
• Generate useful information for future conservation strategies.
• Raise awareness among volunteers and local communities about the importance of biodiversity.

This makes the experience educational, hands-on, and genuinely impactful, rather than symbolic or touristic.

Mediterranean Tortoise Conservation

The Tortoise Conservation component of the program focuses on the protection, recovery, and active management of local populations of the Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), a terrestrial species threatened by habitat loss, illegal collection, and increasingly extreme climatic conditions linked to climate change.

The main focus of the project is habitat regeneration and biodiversity restoration, including the integration of local human communities as part of the ecosystem. The region is affected by a combination of human pressure, ecosystem degradation, and the lack of long-term monitoring programs, making tortoises a key species for both direct conservation action and environmental education.

The high-activity turtle and tortoise season usually runs from March through October. During this time, interns have scope to attend to the reserves nursery for baby tortoises, and may also have opportunities to contribute to any sea turtle related tasks as well (subject to seasonality and availability).

Activities cover all reproductive and growth stages, including monitoring reproduction, preparing and protecting nests, caring for hatchlings in a nursery until they reach a safe size, and reintroducing them into their habitat. Interns also participate in monitoring adult populations, habitat restoration, creating micro-refuges, and establishing biodiversity corridors, providing a comprehensive learning experience in regenerative conservation.

The program follows an in situ conservation and active management approach, combining habitat restoration, population monitoring, and direct protection actions, including:

• Identification and monitoring of areas with breeding populations.
• Protection of nests and breeding zones when necessary.
• Rescue and recovery of vulnerable individuals, especially hatchlings.
• Maintenance of safe areas within the project for observation, recovery, and study.
• Collection of basic data to better understand population status and key threats.

The project also operates a tortoise nursery, where hatchlings can grow until they reach a size at which predation risk from introduced predators (mainly feral dogs and cats) is significantly reduced. After this stage, individuals are released back into the exact locations where they were found, reinforcing local populations.

Sea Turtle Conservation

In addition, the project carries out monitoring of loggerhead sea turtles on Mediterranean beaches, as climate change is shifting nesting patterns, with Morocco increasingly becoming a nesting area rather than only a feeding ground - a trend already observed in Spain, Italy, and France.

Although sea turtle nesting activity has not been confirmed in Morocco; there are indications; albeit no confirmed egg-laying. Therefore, sea turtle conservation activities may focus on night-time beach monitoring, observing possible tracks and recording activity.

Intervention is temporary and exploratory, aimed at collecting information to guide future conservation actions if nesting is confirmed.

At Lake Asmir, the presence of European pond turtles and Mediterranean pond turtles (likely introduced decades ago) is also being studied as part of the broader assessment of local aquatic biodiversity.

Example itineraries

All activities are adapted to the experience level of participants and are always conducted under supervision.

Morning

• Shared breakfast at the visitor house (interns may help with preparation and basic communal tasks).
• Short daily briefing: review of objectives, weather conditions, and assigned tasks.
• Animal care and feeding at the conservation center.
• Field walks for: Track monitoring. Locating tortoises. Checking microhabitats and movement corridors.

Midday

• Return to the center.
• Data entry and group discussion of observations.
• Cleaning and preparation of equipment for the following day.
• Lunch.

Afternoon

• Free time.
• Occasional light tasks such as checking and refilling external water points.
• Dinner and rest.

Example of an intern’s typical week (indicative)

Weekly planning changes according to ecological priorities, but a typical week may include:

• Day 1: Field monitoring and general maintenance of the center.
• Day 2: Construction and improvement of tortoise nurseries and center facilities.
• Day 3: Installation of signage and maintenance of biodiversity corridors.
• Day 4: Workshop activities e.g. Building shade shelters for tortoises. Preparing nest boxes and protective structures.
• Day 5: Tasks at the project nursery and reforestation activities.

Some weeks may also include:

• Educational visits to nearby schools.
• Environmental education activities with local communities.
• Preparation of areas for tortoise reintroduction.

Field monitoring is a core activity of the program and conducted primarily during the day - not only at the main program site, but may also take place in other valleys where populations of interest are found. During monitoring, interns may

• Search for tracks, nests, and reproductive or subadult individuals.
• Photograph and weigh the individuals encountered.
• Assess health status, removing external parasites when necessary.
• Accurately record the exact location of each observation.

Routes are always conducted along the same trails, approximately every two weeks, allowing consistent population monitoring.

Internship Supervision and Program Team

Interns will receive direct and continuous supervision throughout their stay, in collaboration with a communications specialist, experienced with Erasmus programs in European universities. The team includes local assistants, experienced in wildlife handling and supporting field and center-based activities. When the Lead Biologist is unavailable, supervision will be carried out by the Program Director, who brings extensive experience in tortoise conservation, management of regenerative reserves, and coordination of field-based educational and research projects.

Internship activities are organized through daily briefings, practical training, and direct supervision. At certain times, tasks may be assigned in groups or individually, but always under close coordination and communication to ensure safety, learning, and effectiveness. This approach prioritizes safe and effective learning, understanding the purpose of each action within the project’s broader conservation and regenerative strategy.

Typical Schedule

• Activities vary depending on the season and the biological stage of the tortoises (breeding, hatching, growth, or reintroduction), so activities are adapted according to conservation needs. Expect to participate Monday through Friday, approximately 5 hours per day, combining fieldwork, hands-on activities at the conservation center, and practical learning.

What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Mediterranean Tortoise Conservation & Ecosystem Regeneration Intern?