Volunteers required for work on Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus)

Volunteers are required to assist PhD students from Deakin University, Victoria, Australia on projects studying the reproductive behaviours of Australian fur seals.   Volunteers will gain experience in behavioural observation techniques, photometric data collection, and capture and restraint of Australian fur seal pups.  Volunteers may also assist in remote and gas anaesthesia, and collection of blood and tissue samples, depending on the field trip.

Fieldwork will be carried out on Kanowna Island- a remote island off the coast of Wilsons Promontory, Victoria.  Life as well as work on the island can be physically demanding and as such volunteers should be relatively fit and healthy.  Volunteers will need to provide their own transport to and from Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory; alternatively, carpooling may be able to be arranged with other volunteers travelling down.  Accommodation is basic (camping in tents) but is provided, all food will also be provided.   Volunteers will need to bring personal items such a clothes and sleeping bags. 

The length of field trips vary from10 days to up to 20 days, trips will be carried out between the months of October and the end of December of this year.  Please direct all correspondence to;


Claire Wallis
PhD candidate
Deakin University
Email: cmwal@deakin.edu.au