Harbour
Seal Pup Rehabilitation Internships
Island
Wildlife Natural Care Centre is a registered not-for-profit marine mammal
rescue and rehabilitation facility operating under permits from the Department
of Fisheries & Oceans, the Ministry of Environment and Environment
Canada. Located in the Pacific
Northwest, on Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada, Island Wildlife specializes in
the care of up to 100 seal pups (and occasionally other species of marine
mammals) each year. We also
provide rescue services and temporary emergency care for other species of
indigenous wildlife (avian and terrestrial mammals).
We are
inviting applications for 12 summer and fall internship positions working with
our Harbour Seal pup patients. Internships run for a minimum of 2 months to
a maximum of 3 months, from June 1 through October 31.
Internships
are voluntary positions and candidates are responsible for their own
transportation to and from British Columbia and for their own expenses during
their internship (i.e. travel, food, entertainment). We provide shared sleeping
cabins (including bedding), and a communal kitchen (including all cooking
utensils) and bathrooms, as well as wireless internet and use of a shared
vehicle. There is no cost for
accommodation.
Interns will
work directly under our marine mammal specialists and can expect to learn or
improve skills in the following:
- Safe
handling and restraint of Harbour Seal pups
- Assisting in
stabilizing critical patients and new arrivals
- Food
preparation through all stages of rehabilitation
- Gavage
(tube) feeding, force feeding and hand feeding techniques
- Proper
hygiene and isolation protocols to prevent the spread of disease
-
Administration of oral medications
- Behavioral
and medical observation and proper record keeping
- Assisting
with the rescue hotline, transporting patients and public interface
- Interns may
also take part in rescues and releases may assist with diagnostic work such as
x-rays and microscopic exams
- General care
of many other indigenous avian and mammalian species
Interns are
accepted internationally.
Preference will be given to candidates with past hands-on marine mammals
experience, but other wildlife experience will also be considered. Internships
are open to students and non-students with an educational background in the
animal sciences or veterinary medicine (including vet techs and AHTs). Candidates must be able to work well in
a team, possess a strong work ethic and be willing to work long hours during
our busiest months (a work day can be up to 10 hours during peak “pupping”
season).