The Best Candidates
Preference will be given to interns who have past experience in caring for marine mammals. Candidates with an education in the animal sciences, a veterinary or vet tech background, or experience with other wildlife species will also be considered.An internship is not a position for anyone looking for an “adventure holiday”. Our staff work long, hard hours and take their jobs seriously. An intern can expect to be part of virtually all aspects of the rehabilitation process. Working closely with our staff you will gain hands-on experience of basic rehabilitation techniques such as handling and restraint , diet preparation, feeding methods, diagnostic procedures, natural history, charting and of course, cleaning.
As an intern you will become part of a team of like-minded, dedicated people and will be treated with respect and friendship. Be prepared to give 100% to our beautiful wild patients and you will find your experience to be among the most rewarding you have ever known.
Work Hours
The work is in shifts, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until past midnight. When we are extremely busy, a shift can be 10 hours per day, six days a week, with one day off.Length of Internship
Internship opportunities are staggered and commence June 1 through to October 31. Each internship is for a minimum of two months to a maximum of three months.Accommodation
There is no cost for accommodation. We provide shared sleeping cabins, usually two interns per cabin in bunk beds. Cabins include all bedding. There are two shared bathrooms with tub and shower plus a communal kitchen. The kitchen includes all cooking implements. Wireless internet is onsite so bring your laptops.Expenses
There is no monetary stipend attached to the internship. Expenses for travel to Salt Spring Island, groceries and entertainment are the responsibility of the intern.Location of Island Wildlife
Located on the west coast of BC, Salt Spring Island is the largest of the Canadian Gulf Islands. Situated between Vancouver on BC’s mainland and Vancouver Island, Salt Spring is a rural community, an artist’s haven and popular tourist destination. Our small village of Ganges has numerous shops, galleries, restaurants, a hospital, a movie theatre and most necessary services so you can easily purchase anything you need on the island. Our capital city, Victoria, is easily reached by ferry and bus and is accessible on days off. A trip to Vancouver is lengthier and should be planned prior to or after your internship.