STRANDING INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM INTERNSHIPS
Mote Marine Laboratory’s Stranding Investigations Program (SIP) is
seeking applicants for spring, summer, and fall internships. SIP
provides 24-hour response to sick, injured and dead marine mammals and
sea turtles in west central Florida. In addition, the program aims to
increase our understanding of the biology, ecology and pathology of
marine animals, investigate natural and human-related mortality, monitor
long-term mortality trends, and provide data to managers for effective
conservation of marine species. The intern will be directly involved in
the 24-hour response, recovery, and transport of live and dead stranded
marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and manatees) and sea turtles from
Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee Counties. These internships are unpaid.
INTERN DUTIES:
Share responsibility for responding to a 24-hour stranding notification
pager and coordinating response based on the species, number, size, and
condition of the animal(s). Direct involvement in marine mammal and sea
turtle rescue and recovery is required.
Involvement in the examination, data collection, necropsy, tissue
sampling, processing and distribution, and disposal of marine mammal and
sea turtle carcasses.
Data entry, database management, supplies inventory and biological
sample archive management.
Equipment maintenance, errands, and other duties as requested.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Valid Florida Class E driver’s license or equivalent
The ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs, swim, walk long distances, work
in hot field conditions, tolerate strong odors, and work with the public
and media
The ability to work independently and follow instructions
The ability to operate personal watercraft and ATVs, or the willingness
to learn
DESIRED SKILLS:
Computer knowledge (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, ArcGIS), strong
verbal and written communication skills, and high attention to detail
DESIRED EDUCATION:
A background or degree in biology, zoology, or animal behavior
OTHER:
MUST be willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.
This position can require long days, including late night and early
morning hours.
Please understand that the level of stranding activity is not only
physically demanding, but also extremely unpredictable. As a result,
there are no guarantees about the number of animals or species we will
encounter. In addition, much of the work related to SIP can be
classified as “non-glamorous”. In many cases, field examination,
dissection, tissue collection, and disposal of large decaying carcasses
is involved. Interns should be prepared for direct involvement with
large, putrid carcasses.
Interns may be able to participate in other marine mammal and/or sea
turtle program activities, as needed, and as time allows.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:
Interns should wear casual and comfortable clothing, and be prepared for
all types of weather. Clothing should be suitable for public
presentation, but casual enough to withstand getting wet and dirty.
Occasionally, a swimsuit or wetsuit is required for stranding response.
SUPERVISION:
The intern will be trained by Stranding Investigations Program staff.
Once the intern has gained adequate knowledge about the strandings
program, biology of the animals, and the tasks involved in our stranding
response, they will be assigned independent projects, some of which they
will help initiate. The supervisor/s will monitor the projects and
remain accessible to the intern for questions and advice.
HOURS/SALARY:
This position requires a commitment of 3 months, 40 hours per week, on a
voluntary basis – interns will not be paid, nor will housing or
transportation be provided (however Mote can assist interns in finding
housing). There is flexibility on the start dates.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Mote provides the opportunity for some interns to receive a scholarship
to help pay for living expenses during the internship. Please visit our
website at www.mote.org for more information.
TO APPLY:
Please visit www.mote.org for internship applications and general
information. When submitting your application, please indicate your
interest in the Stranding Investigations Program on the form.
QUESTIONS:
Any general questions regarding internships at Mote should be directed
to Dana O’Mara at danaomara(a)mote.org or (941) 388-4441 ext. 462.
Any questions directly related to the Stranding Investigations Program
Internships, please contact Vikki Socha at vsocha(a)mote.org or (941)
388-4441 ext. 239.
Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit research
organization dedicated to excellence in marine science and education.
--
***********************************
Victoria L. Socha, Staff Biologist
Stranding Investigations Program
Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 388-4441 x239 (phone)
(941) 388-4317 (fax)
Position opening: Harbour Seal Nurse
Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre is a nonprofit society dedicated to
the rescue and rehabilitation of regional wildlife, with an emphasis on
Harbour Seals and avian species. We are seeking a candidate for the full time
position of Harbour Seal Nurse.
IWNCC is located in the Pacific Northwest, on Salt Spring Island, in the
Canadian Gulf Islands. We are a small but very busy centre, situated in an
outdoor setting on a forested 4-acre property. We treat about 500 avian and
terrestrial animals per year and rescue and rehabilitate an average of 90-120
Harbour Seal pups each summer. Seasonal work hours are long and the work is
fast-paced and physically demanding.
The position reports to the Director of Animal Care and will participate
in coordinating rescues; hands-on daily animal husbandry and critical care;
the leadership, training, supervision and scheduling of interns and volunteers;
maintaining the day-to-day running of the seal clinic such as procuring and
managing inventory of supplies, equipment and medications, keeping accurate
detailed records and liaising with industry professionals.
This position starts May 2007. The successful candidate must have a
minimum of 5 years hands-on marine mammal rehabilitation experience at a senior
level. She/he must be experienced in examinations, diagnosis and treatment plus
have proven supervisory and communications skills and be physically fit.
Salary and benefits are negotiable and commensurate with experience.
IWNCC will facilitate required work permits however priority will be given to
qualified Canadian applicants.
Please send your CV & references to Jackie Ballerone, Island Wildlife
Natural Care Centre, 322 Langs Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1N3 Canada.
Or email iwncc(a)aol.com
For more information regarding Island Wildlife visit our website at
www.sealrescue.org
**************************************
See what's new at
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Sirenews Number 48, October 2007 is now available online at
http://www.sirenian.org/sirenews.html in both HTML and PDF format.
Sirenews is the newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Sirenia Specialist Group
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) is a science-based network of
volunteer experts working together towards achieving the vision of "A world
that values and conserves present levels of biodiversity." The Sirenia
Specialist Group is focused on the conservation of manatee and dugong
populations around the world.
In this issue:
* RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF SCALE MISMATCH IN DUGONG CONSERVATION
* FLORIDA MANATEE VOTE POSTPONED
* BIBLIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE
* SIRENIAN POPULATION GENETICS CONFERENCE
* FUTURE FORMAT OF SIRENEWS
* CONSERVATION PROSPECTS FOR THE WEST AFRICAN MANATEE
* CONSERVATION OF THE WEST AFRICAN MANATEE Trichechus senegalensis:
WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
* BYCATCH OF NON-TARGETED MARINE SPECIES IN THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN:
PROBLEMS AND MITIGATION MEASURES.
* LOCAL NEWS
Dominican Republic
East Africa
Indonesia
Mexico
Sierra Leone
* ABSTRACTS
THE SPATIAL ECOLOGY OF DUGONGS: APPLICATIONS TO CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT, PhD
Thesis submitted by James Sheppard
CONFLICT TO CO-MANAGEMENT: EATING OUR WORDS TOWARDS SOCIALLY JUST
CONSERVATION OF GREEN TURTLES AND DUGONGS IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF,
AUSTRALIA, PhD Thesis Submitted by Melissa Nursey-Bray
LONG-DISTANCE OCEANIC MOVEMENT OF A SOLITARY DUGONG (Dugong dugon) to the
COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS. Hobbs, J-P.A.*, A.J. Frisch, J. Hender, and J.J.
Gilligan. 2007. Aquatic Mammals 33(2):175-178.
* RECENT LITERATURE
IMPORTANT NOTE: Sirenews is an informal forum, not to be considered citable,
formally-published literature; it is NOT "peer-reviewed", and contributions
to it should not be quoted without the written permission of the author. The
opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of
IUCN or other organizations.
Sirenews (ISSN 1017-3439) appears twice a year in April and October and is
edited by James A. Powell and Cynthia R. Taylor, Wildlife Trust, 1601 3rd
Street S., Suite F, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA. It is supported by the
U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and Sea World, Inc.
Submission deadlines are April 1 and October 1. Material may be submitted by
e-mail to: Cynthia Taylor (taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org) or by fax to
1-352-368-3895 (USA).
Sirenews Number 48, October 2007 is now available online at HYPERLINK
"http://www.sirenian.org/sirenews.html"http://www.sirenian.org/sirenews.html
and HYPERLINK
"http://www.marinemammalogy.org/snews.htm"www.marinemammalogy.org/snews.htm
Sirenews is the newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Sirenia Specialist Group
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) is a science-based network of
volunteer experts working together towards achieving the vision of "A world
that values and conserves present levels of biodiversity." The Sirenia
Specialist Group is focused on the conservation of manatee and dugong
populations around the world.
Thanks for your interest -
Cynthia Taylor
Director, Aquatic Conservation Program
Senior Research Scientist
Wildlife Trust
941-232-4587
HYPERLINK "mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org"taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org
HYPERLINK "http://www.wildlifetrust.org/"www.wildlifetrust.org
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9:46 PM
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
WHAT: Volunteer assistants are requested to partake in a PhD project investigating diet and foraging ecology of bottlenose dolphins.
WHERE: Bunbury, South Western Australia (180 km south of Perth). A beautiful coastal town with easy access to Perth, the Margaret River wine region, surfing and bush walking.
WHEN: Research assistants are needed on an on-going basis, however the periods of January to March, and late June through August 2008 and 2009 are months of the highest fish sampling activity.
DUTIES: Relative composition and abundance of prey species in the Koombana Bay region will be sampled using beach seine nets and z-traps. Volunteers will be required to manually deploy and retrieve fish traps, assist in the operation of a research vessel, deploy beach seines, identify, count, weigh, and measure fish and invertebrate species.
Stomach contents of stranded dolphins and scat samples will be analyzed for prey content. This will involve separating and identifying hard parts in scat and stomach samples. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to assist with post-mortem examinations of stranded dolphins.
Spatial analysis to determine foraging hot spots will be carried out using point observational data. Assistants will be required to assist in the creation of data layers by entering data into an ArcGIS format and learn to use some basic GIS tools.
Data entry and management, equipment maintenance, and other office and lab tasks will be required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Mandatory
-Primary requirement is a good attitude, work ethic, and ability to work in a physically demanding environment. This can include long hours in extreme weather conditions and long days on the water. Hauling fish traps and nets is physically demanding work. Volunteers must be able to repeatedly lift over 23 kg (~51 lbs).
-Must be able to commit to a minimum of one month. People able to commit for longer periods will be preferred.
Preferred, but not mandatory
-Undergraduate degree in the biological sciences
-Previous field work experience, specifically with fisheries or marine mammals
-Experience using ArcGIS or similar spatial analysis software
-Experience managing large datasets
-Experience operating vessels up to 7 meters in length
COMPENSATION: Regrettably volunteers will be required to arrange their own transportation to Bunbury, accommodation and all living expenses. (Backpackers and rooms in shared houses are available for approximately AU$16/night). Schedules may be flexible to allow volunteers to work on a part-time basis if legally able in Australia. Academic credit may be earned if arranged through your local institution. Valuable field and lab experience in the ecological sciences will be gained through participation in this project.
HOW TO APPLY: Please send a CV, letter of interest, and two letters of reference to:
Shannon McCluskey
Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit
c/o Dolphin Discovery Centre
Bunbury, Western Australia 6230
or electronically to: S.McCluskey(a)murdoch.edu.au
LINKS OF INTEREST:
Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit: http://www.cffr.murdoch.edu.au/mucru/
Dolphin Discovery Centre: http://dolphins.mysouthwest.com.au/
Information on Bunbury: http://www.mybunbury.com/ or
http://www.travelau.com.au/wa/bunbury/
Wild Bottlenose Dolphin Research Internships
The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), based at Mote Marine
Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, is the world's longest-running wild
dolphin research program. The program's goal is to contribute to a
better understanding of the structure and dynamics of populations of
small cetaceans, as well as the natural and anthropogenic factors that
impact them. The SDRP uses an interdisciplinary and collaborative
approach in conducting studies of bottlenose dolphins within Sarasota
Bay, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Gulf of Mexico coastal waters.
For more information about the SDRP, please visit: www.sarasotadolphin.org.
The SDRP is in the process of selecting volunteer interns for the spring
2008 internship program. Several internship positions are available
within four different research projects from January 7th through March
31st. There is no compensation for these internship positions and
successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and
transportation expenses during the time of the internship. Housing
opportunities may be available (cost: $75/week). Scholarships are
available through a competitive application process. The four projects
include:
Population Monitoring Project
(www.sarasotadolphin.org/Ecology/earthwatch2007.asp)
This study will continue to monitor the resident dolphin population in
Sarasota Bay. This will involve surveying, photographing, identifying,
and recording data in the field as well as photo-id, catalog
maintenance, and data entry and double-checking in the lab.
Juvenile Dolphin Behavior Project
(www.sarasotadolphin.org/Social/juvenile2007.asp)
This study will conduct focal animal behavioral follows of juvenile
dolphins in Sarasota Bay to assess their association, behavioral,
distribution and habitat use patterns and to identify factors that
influence their survivorship.
Dolphin Prey and Habitat Use Project
(www.sarasotadolphin.org/Ecology/HabitatPrey.asp)
This study will use the Sarasota dolphin community and random sampling
of fish population through purse seining techniques to study
predator-prey interactions and bioacoustics, specifically helping us to
understand relationships between distributions of dolphins and their
prey, and factors that affect fish community ecology, such as red tide.
Sea Bird Ecology Project (no current link)
This study will look at the abundance, distribution and habitat use of
sea birds in Sarasota Bay and the effects of red tide on those sea bird
communities.
Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications:
*Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in undergraduate studies;
*A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology or a related
field;
*Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs;
*Some field research experience preferred but not required;
*Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods;
*A willingness to spend a minimum of 2 - 3 months working full time with
our program.
You may apply through Mote Marine Laboratory's web site (www.mote.org)
by following the education links to the college intern page.
Applications received by November 16th will be given first priority.
Applicants may contact Dana OMara (danaomara(a)mote.org) in Mote's intern
office (941-388-4441 ext. 462) with questions regarding the application
process and Jason Allen (allenjb(a)mote.org) in the SDRP with any
questions regarding specific projects.
--
Jason Allen
Lab Manager
Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236
Tel: 941.388.4441 ext. 452
Fax: 941.388.4223
