Here at the Rio Amazonas Research Station we have been studying Amazon rainforest wildlife for the past 35 years led by Dr Richard Bodmer and his team of dedicated wildlife scientists. We study the ecology of all the vertebrate groups and how climate change impacts the biodiversity and how community-based conservation is helping to save the Amazon. Over the years there have been more then 4,000 volunteer citizen scientists and students joining us at the Research Station.
A Living Piece of Amazonian History
Live and learn aboard the historic Rio Amazonas - an eloquently restored Victorian steamboat turned floating laboratory.
Real Research. Real Impact.
Help us survey forest mammals, census river dolphins, catch and measure fish, and track nocturnal wildlife alongside our expert biologists. You will help study frogs, bats, and caimans at night; and birds, fish, lizards, dolphins, primates, and terrestrial mammals in the day.
A Unique 8-Day All-Inclusive Journey into Amazon Science
You experience a comprehensive science expedition with all the wildlife surveys and community visits accompanied by friendly and knowledgeable biologists, and airport transfers, meals, private en-suite cabins with solar AC, and 4-star service for just $2,400.
Students, teachers, and others can apply for Fundamazonia fellowships to help reduce the fees.
Science and Discovery in the Amazon
Our research uses field studies to provide the science base for wildlife and community-based conservation, impacts of climate change on wildlife and people, and wildlife trade and recovery of endangered species. The Rio Amazonas Research Station has been conducting long-term biodiversity on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, bats, terrestrial mammals, and aquatic mammals, and works closely with Indigenous communities, and collaborates with the Peruvian wildlife and protected area services.
A Biodiverse Rainforest
The Research Station runs the Yarapa River Research Reserve, a high diversity forest with an abundance of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife; it has healthy dolphin densities, abundant wading birds and fish, recovering otter and caiman populations, and healthy populations of primates and other mammals and birds. The local Indigenous people play a major role in helping to conserve these rainforests that are located between the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Community Reserve in one of the largest protected area complexes in Peru.
The Rio Amazonas Research Station prides itself on its eco-friendly operation and sustainable research methods. The station uses 100% off grid solar energy, solar hot water, ecological solid and water waste treatment, among other eco-friendly services.
We use a sustainable research strategy to study biodiversity by minimizing the use of intrusive methods and relying more on observations and indirect methods (camera traps, audio recorders, sonar, eDNA, hydrophones).
Over the years we have reduced the station's carbon footprint by 95%. Volunteers on average only use 12 kg of carbon directly during their stay and volunteers help conserve Amazon forests that indirectly offsets carbon from air travel.
We help support the economies of the local communities by hiring local field assistant, supporting health and education, by purchasing handicrafts, and supporting cultural activities.
The Research Station uses international health and safety protocols, including covid protocols, risk assessments and emergency response plans.
Download the 2026/27 Research Station Briefing that includes important information for the research expeditions including Health and Safety Information.
The Research Station is used by Operation Wallacea (UK), Earthwatch Institute (USA), DICE—University of Kent (UK), School for Field Studies (USA), Markham School (Peru), Operation Earth (China), Peru North (UK), among others. The Research Station has hosted international and Peruvian students from the Universities of Kent, Florida, Oxford, Cambridge, Cornell, Chicago, and Universidades de Autonimo de Barcelona, Nacional de Costa Rica, National de Colombia, Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana, among many others.
