Our involvement with international oil spill response has
allowed us to venture further out into the world. In doing this we
have come across countries, organizations and individuals who are
eager to learn more about aquatic bird rehabilitation, but have
limited resources available to them on a local level. In response
to the high demand for training in our field, International Bird
Rescue founded an international internship program.
Bird Rescue is pleased to offer internships to individuals
interested in aquatic bird rehabilitation and oil spill response.
Any person, including those from the Unites States, can apply for
an international internship.
The program's most valuable component is the hands-on training
gained at the oiled bird rehabilitation centers we operate in the
Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas. These centers are home to
International Bird Rescue's rehabilitation program for aquatic
birds, and receive over 5,000 birds each year. Working within the
rehabilitation program with experienced staff and volunteers
enables interns to gain valuable skills and knowledge about aquatic
birds not offered in universities.
Interns learn all aspects of rehabilitation - from initial
assessment, nutrition and animal care, basic medical treatments,
bird washing, case management and volunteer management. Aquatic
birds are challenging and labor intensive to rehabilitate. Interns
learn first-hand from our experts the intricacies of waterproofing,
housing for each species, problem solving, and herd health
management (caring for many birds at one time).
Interns gain valuable practical experience, while helping wildlife
patients and working with staff and highly trained volunteers. Some
of the skills learned include individual species identification and
natural history, proper husbandry and enrichment techniques, animal
handling, tube feeding, medication administration, lab work, and
various other procedures. Interns will receive daily one-on-one
training, and will be asked to work on an individual or group
project. The internship is rewarding, intense, physically
demanding, fast-paced and comprehensive, giving interns the
opportunity to learn about many aspects of aquatic bird
rehabilitation.
Those interested in an internship with International Bird Rescue must meet the following requirements:
Disclaimer:
International Bird Rescue (Bird Rescue) provides training and
internship opportunities to a variety of people during live spill
responses, at Bird Rescue rehabilitation clinics in California and
during specific on-site trainings. International BIrd Rescue
provides skills-based training in capture, handling, basic medical
techniques and rehabilitation of wild, aquatic animals. This
training is intended to help develop individual skills in the field
of rehabilitation and basic medical care, which is the foundation
of oiled wildlife rehabilitation. International Bird Rescue
training does not include training in emergency management,
hazardous materials, incident command or logistics and Bird Rescue
assumes no liability or responsibility for the technical abilities
of individuals completing these trainings.
Individuals completing an internship, training or in-house work program with International Bird Rescue are not necessarily qualify to work independently in the field of oiled wildlife response. Bird Rescue does not authorize or certify that these individuals have reached any level of competency in the field of oiled wildlife response.
Further, International Bird Rescue does not lend the company name to other entities or accredit other organizations or individuals in the field of oiled wildlife rescue, rehabilitation or spill response.
