Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship
The internship will give interns the opportunity to learn about many aspects of wildlife rehabilitation. Interns will work with staff and seasoned volunteers to help wildlife patients. Some of the practical skills learned will include individual species identification, behavior, and natural history, wildlife husbandry, animal handling, infant animal feeding, and medical care. While West Sound Wildlife Shelter is committed to both rehabilitation and education, interns will not be working directly with our permanent resident education animals.
JOB DUTIES
- Setting up and maintaining animal enclosures
- Cleaning: cages, dishes, floors, laundry
- Diet preparation (includes preparing dead prey – you will not be excluded from consideration if you are uncomfortable with dead prey diet preparation)
- Patient handling and proper restraint techniques
- Infant care:
- Small mammals (e.g., chipmunks, opossums, and squirrels)
- Songbirds (wrens, sparrows, robins, swallows)
- Raccoon nursery
- Waterfowl nursery (geese, gulls, several duck species)
- Enrichment (cage setup, diet and supplements, foraging behaviors)
- Assessment of animals for meeting requirements for weaning, moving outside, and release
- Assisting with animal intake and physical examinations, and medication administration
- Other tasks as required
REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants must be current college students or recent graduates with an interest in biology and wildlife-related fields
- All applicants must have:
- Proof of health insurance or willing to sign a waiver
- Housing and reliable transportation
- All applicants must be able to:
- Work independently, and cooperatively with co-workers and volunteers
- Be on your feet for long stretches of time (6+ hours)
- Carry 30 pounds
- Work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
- Communicate via email
- Speak, read and write the English language fluently
- Understand that this is an UNPAID position
- This position may not be suitable for an individual with an auto-immune disorder or who may be pregnant