INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT HATO MASAGUARAL
VENEZUELA
Great Wilderness is a 501 "c" California-based, international,
non-profit, conservation organization. Great Wilderness partners
closely with Ecuadorian and Venezuelan non-profits, as well as
private biological reserves in the common mission to
conserve and preserve threatened tropical forest and its ecosystems
while improving standards of living in rural communities. GW is
dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and works with local
people to protect natural resources and develop
sustainable ways of living.
GW supports the Tropical Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) at
Hato Masaguaral (HM) in the Llanos of Venezuela. HM is a private
preserving reserve whose main mission is the conservation of the
endemic neo-tropical fauna such the Caiman del
Orinoco and ecosystems of Los Llanos of Venezuela. Both the HM and
the TCEC function as one unit promoting active stewardship of the
local and international community through various ongoing activities.
Such projects include environmental education
and awareness programs in local communities and schools, captive
breeding and reintroduction programs of endangered species such the
Caiman del Orinoco, and local involvement as a strong voice for the
protection of the environment in Los Llanos de
Venezuela and the region.
As a growing organization GW and Hato Masauaral welcome the help and
knowledge of interns who are willing to whole heartedly devote their
time and knowledge towards safeguarding, promoting and enforcing our
main mission. Great Wilderness extends a
call to interested persons to volunteer as interns with HM through
the Tropical Education Centre Internship Program.
A visit to Hato Masaguaral:
http://www.forums.repashy.com/miscellaneous-reptile-discussion/11229-crocodiles-masaguaral.html
Main Goal of the Internship Program:
To offer interns first hand experience working with ongoing programs
within Hato Masaguaral and in the the TCEC .
Specific Objectives:
a. Animal Managements Program
Interns will be expected to:
Assist in the care and maintenance of endangered Orinoco Crocodile.
Interns will be responsible for understanding the specific needs of
all enclosed individual within their captive environment.
Assist in wildlife interpretative tasks for Masaguaral visitors and
tour groups e.g. handling and exhibiting a young crocodile to visitor
while relating its life history, present conservation status and
answering questions about the specimen.
Be involved in ongoing wildlife conservation programs at the HM such
as the forpus project, caiman breeding center, monitoring,
reintroduction program, etc.
Contribute to exhibit design and enrichment; this includes the
betterment of animal enclosures, enhancement of viewer experiences
and visitor, enhancement of activities and positive enrichment for
the crocodile center, improvement of the environment
for the animals and landscaping of trails, paths and signs within the
hato masaguaral.
Assist the HM's manager with daily activities at the Hato.
b.Environmental Education
Interns will be expected to:
Be actively involved in introducing visiting school groups to the
caiman breeding center and Hato Masaguaral i.e. the Masaguaral's
mission and objectives as well as its importance and specific
function towards the conservation of ecosystems, and to
help in the development of posters, signs and slogans promoting the
conservation and protection of endangered caiman del Orinoco.
Help in delivering and developing environmental education and
awareness lessons to visiting school groups to the hato and caiman
center, and to participate in the brainstorming of ideas to better
educate the local and international community about
the importance of the masaguaral for the conservation and development
of stewardship in the local and international community.
Participate in community outreach programs currently being held by
the Hato Masaguaral and caiman center.
Write grants and do fundraising campaigns
Update Masaguaral's website
Develop a network nationally and international for Masaguaral's
conservation initiatives
How to apply:
Submit a letter of inquiry to Great Wilderness Soraya Delgado
(Director of Latin American Programs, [email protected],
607-379-1599) stating:
Reasons for applying to the internship program
Specific area of interest
Brief summary of educational background, any previous volunteer work
and what he/she expects to gain through the internship.
Submit Resume, C.V. along with any other merits of qualification or
experience and two references.
Submit a medical certificate signed by a practicing physician stating
health status including any allergies, or medication requirements,
and proof of standard vaccinations against tropical diseases if needed.
Selection Process:
The application package should be sent well before the expected time
of internship.
Applications will take two weeks to process after which the GW and
TCEC will inform the applicant whether his/her application has been
successful via email.
All applications will be considered on individual basis.
There are no limiting dates for applications.
If his/her application is considered he/she will be expected to
provide his/her traveling information and expected date of arrival.
Interns will be responsible for:
All travel arrangement to and from the country of origin including
visas and other travel documents and transportation cost from their
point of entry to the TCEC.
Respecting the rules and regulation for HM staff, proper work ethics
and proper dress codes for the task assigned e.g. interns working
with animal management are encourage to wear long trousers, shirts
with long sleeves and properly covered foot
wear.
Signing a disclaimer that relieves GW and HM's Tropical Education
Centre of any responsibilities to interns traveling on their own or
interns who decide to part take in activities outside of those
specified by their program's supervisor.
Keeping a journal of their internship experience and presenting an
electronic copy to GW and HM prior to departure.
Hato Masaguaral will be responsible to:
Provide meals and accommodations for the length of the internship
Provide trained personnel to work and guide the intern during their stay
Offer a secure working environment to the interns
Answer any queries or concerns about their assigned task or responsibilities
Provide intern with certificate of achievement upon successful
completion of the program.
Duration of Internship:
The internship program is designed for no less than three months;
however, the time can be extended based on the interests and needs of
the intern.
Please direct questions to Maria Fernandez, Volunteer Coordinator
([email protected])
