‘Raptor Aviculture’
Internship Opportunity at International Wildlife Consultants
Are you interested in falconry or raptors?
Are you thinking of pursuing a career working with animals?
International Wildlife Consultants (UK) Ltd. was established by Dr Nick Fox (author of many scientific articles on raptors and best known for his book Understanding the Bird of Prey) and is one of the oldest established falcon breeding facilities in Europe; having bred falcons since 1975 and exporting to the Middle East since 1987. IWC (UK) was the first falcon facility in the UK to qualify as a CITES registered breeder and every year we breed over 200 falcons at our facility in Wales. IWC also undertakes research and conservation programmes in many countries (see http://www.falcons.co.uk/).
During the breeding season we offer a number of seasonal aviculture internship opportunities. This is a unique chance to participate in and get experience in falcon breeding and captive falcon management. These internships at International Wildlife Consultants are available from April to September every year.
During the internship you will gain valuable experience working as part of the avicultural team, under the supervision of raptor aviculturalist Diana Durman-Walters and falcon veterinarian Dr. Tom Bailey. From April onwards we are hatching and rearing chicks, from mid-June onwards young birds are being placed in hack pens and from mid-July onwards birds are being caught form the pens, examined and exported to overseas clients.
Activities that interns are involved with include: food preparation; feeding young falcon chicks; catching and handling birds being moved between pens; maintaining facility biosecurity; making and building equipment such as perches; preparing transport boxes; making falconry equipment, fitting tail guards and wing guards to falcons being exported; observing/assisting with physical and health examinations; and occasionally some farm work. There may be some birds that need handling and manning. We have a small veterinary facility and interns may have to help staff with on-site veterinary work.
The intern will be provided with accommodation and an allowance to cover food costs. Travel arrangements and health insurance are the responsibility of the interns. The IWC facility is located in the beautiful countryside of Carmarthenshire and is close to the Preseli mountains. The internationally renowned sea bird colony on the island of Skomer and the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park is close by for interns with a taste for adventure. The requirements for an internship are:
Good English.
Background knowledge of falconry.
Ability to work hard and to do physically demanding work.
Competence working with and around animals.
Independence.
Training:
This internship not only offers you the opportunity to gain practical avicultural and raptor management skills, interns spending a minimum of 3 months at our facility will receive a complimentary complete set of the Bird of Prey Management Series DVDs (see: http://www.falcons.co.uk/shop/index.asp ) and will be enrolled and assessed on the Lantra Falconry award (see: http://www.lantra-awards.co.uk/catalogue/falconry.aspx ).
Applicants should be able to demonstrate a keen interest and commitment to falconry and aviculture. You can find more information and an application form by visiting our homepage at: http://www.falcons.co.uk/
For further information contact:
International Wildlife Consultants
PO Box 19
Carmarthen
Dyfed
Wales
United Kingdom
SA33 5YL
e-mail: aviculture@falcons.co.uk
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