Positions: Wildlife Care Interns
Organization: Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre
Location: Val Caron/ Sudbury, Ontario
Type: volunteer/unpaid
Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre is a small but dynamic rehabilitation center that admits orphaned and injured small mammals, a wide variety of birds with a specialty in reptiles. In 2021, we accepted over 800 wildlife animals in need of care from across Northern Ontario. Our center is located on a 40-acre property in a scenic rural valley 20 minutes north of Sudbury, Ontario. It is our mission to provide quality care for wildlife in need with the goal of releasing healthy individuals back to the wild. Also important is educating the public on how to handle various wildlife situations and strategies to co-exist with our wild neighbors.
Internship Duration: 2 to 6 months, start date between April-October 2024.
We are currently accepting intern applications for the 2024 (April through October), however, applicants are encouraged to apply early as positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Internship Description:
Volunteer wildlife rehabilitation interns play an integral role in providing quality care in all components of the rehabilitation process. This includes admitting and examining new patients, feeding animals from infant to adult, maintaining detailed animal records, preparing a wide variety of species ‘specific diets, daily cleaning and maintaining of animal habitats and participating in rescues and releases. Interns may also assist in administering fluids, wound care, medications, gavage feeding and other techniques. General cleaning is critical which includes sweeping/ moping floors, washing dishes, disinfecting surface areas and general cleanliness of work areas. Interns also assist in the mentoring of new volunteers and are involved in daily interactions with members of the public.
Interns work 5-day weeks between 40-50 hours per week. Shifts consist of morning, evening and split shifts, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- MUST be committed to the entire length of the internship.
- Dedication, reliability and ability to work in a team environment, yet not requiring constant supervision is imperative.
- Must be flexible in hours and duties required to fit the needs of our wildlife patients
- Ability to stay motivated and calm in an often highly demanding environment
- Willing to learn and adhere to all policies, procedures and protocols
- Be able to perform physically demanding and often repetitive tasks in all kinds of weather
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Previous wildlife rehabilitation experience is an asset but not required
- Proof of vaccination for tetanus is mandatory
- Proof of vaccination for rabies is required to work with rabies vector species. Assistance in covering up to 50% of the rabies vaccination costs (total cost is approx. $600) is an option for internships of 3 months or longer.
- Access to personal transportation is an asset.
Benefits:
Wildlife internships provide a rewarding experience, as most of an intern’s focus is spent directly on animal care. Interns gain valuable practical experience in wildlife handling, care and husbandry techniques and enrichment. Interns learn a wide variety of aspects of wildlife rehabilitation such as species identification, natural history and behavior, animal health and nutrition, diagnostic procedures, fluid therapy, hygiene, environmental enrichment, release criteria and human/wildlife conflict resolution.
Interns develop strong mentorships/friendships with like-minded people and gain valuable work skills while learning to perform efficiently in a demanding, fast paced, team-oriented environment.
How to Contact:
Please sent a resume to turtlepondwc@gmail.com. Provide a covering letter, including your availability, vaccination status, what you hope to gain from an internship and how you will contribute to our team. Also indicate whether you would like to be considered for accommodations and include start and end dates that you are available.
