| Internship: Sea Turtle Biology, Conservation, Rehabilitation, and Husbandry |
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Introduction
Our internship program is set apart from our volunteer program by thorough instruction on sea turtle biology and conservation and is designed so that students may obtain college credit from their university. We require a term of ten (10) weeks with acceptance open throughout the year.
Intern Duties
Interns will aid in the general husbandry of the turtles under our care, including feeding and cleaning tanks, help administer treatments, and perform general maintenance that keeps our facility operating. It is important to understand the conservation needs of these species so an intern’s work will not be limited to the medical care of sea turtles but will cover a broad spectrum of sea turtle conservation and biology. Interns will be presented with the opportunity to promote sea turtle conservation, by engaging in community out-reach and education programs. Our community involvement combined with our optional Chinese language immersion program provides interns with a unique and intensive cultural experience. Additionally interns will engage in our seahorse captive breeding project. We breed and raise sea horses and trade them for sea turtles that are illegally sold at markets. Interns will have the opportunity to be a part of this one of a kind project and learn about the aquaculture of sea horses.
Instruction
Interns will work under the supervision of our knowledgeable staff and will be guided in sea turtle husbandry and rehabilitation. Once the intern has gained adequate instruction they will be asked to perform many tasks independently. They will have the opportunity to work with three species of sea turtles: hawksbill, green, and olive ridley, with the possibility of working with each species in different life stages. Interns will be instructed in many areas of sea turtle biology and conservation, with a focus on a different topic each week.
Weekly Topics
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1. Hospital Training, Sea Turtle Injuries and Illness
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2. Sea Turtle Species Identification, Characteristics, and Ecology
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3. Life History and Our Head Start Program
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4. Fisheries Aquaculture and Seahorse Captive Breeding
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5. Sea Turtle Anatomy and Physiology
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9. Sea Turtles and the Chinese Culture
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7. Fisheries Bycatch and TED Demonstration
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8. Sea Turtle Survival, Mortality, and Conservation Efforts
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9. Sea Turtle Migration and Global Navigation
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10. Sea Turtle Heroes and Global Conservation
Intern Project
As part of our internship program we request that interns design and complete an individual project that benefits sea turtles, the community, or marine conservation in general. This is designed to challenge each intern to find their niche to make a unique contribution to marine conservation.
Expectations
Must be willing to work flexible hours and be comfortable with foreign cultures. Interns should be ready to live within a very different cultural setting. China can be a very rewarding experience for those who have an open mind and a willingness to be adventurous! But there are cultural differences which can lead to considerable challenges. The accessibility of nature and openness of the people is part of China's allure but it is important to approach this opportunity with a realistic attitude. Interns can expect not only an invaluable experience working with threatened and endangered sea turtles, but will also learn to see the problem through the eyes of an entirely different culture.
Supervision
The intern will be trained by our staff, but will be expected to be reliable and self-motivated. Once the intern has gained adequate knowledge about the resident turtles, sea turtle biology, and the tasks involved in maintenance, they will be assigned independent tasks and projects, which they will help initiate. A supervisor will monitor projects and remain accessible to the intern for questions and advice. We are happy to work with schools and professors needing feedback or information about interns’ duties and performance.
Applicant Criteria
Applicants will ideally be current students in a four-year university program of veterinary science, biology, marine biology, environmental science, or another related field, or be a recent graduate from one of these programs. Candidates should be able to perform physically demanding duties, work flexible hours and (occasionally) long shifts. Applicants must have a sense of adventure, be comfortable in foreign cultures and able to work efficiently with others. Prior field experience working with endangered species, environmental education, ecotourism or animal husbandry would be beneficial but not required.
Food and Lodging
Interns will rotate between lodging at the floating fishermen village and more conventional lodging on land. By living and working in the floating fishermen village interns will be a part of the community and experience a way of life that few foreigners have. Interns will develop skills used in traditional fishing and a more modest way of living.
Three meals a day are prepared by our Chinese chefs who cook traditional Chinese food. There’s nothing like home-cooked Chinese food in China!
Internet is available so that interns are able to say in contact with family and friends back home.
Getting to Sanya
We are glad to help organize travel if needed. The best way to get to Sanya is to fly to Hong Kong or Beijing, and then take a domestic flight to Sanya. We will be glad to help you find cheap domestic flights to Sanya from any city in China. A one-way flight to Sanya ranges from $200-$300.
Visa to China
China requires all travelers to obtain a visa for entry into the People's Republic of China. Visas can be obtained in person at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in your area. If it is not convenient for you to visit the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, travel and visa agencies can help you handle the visa process for a fee. Apply for a tourist visa with maximum stay of at least two months since our internship program lasts for ten (10) weeks.
Internship Fee
Since we are a registered non-profit, we rely on program fees to fuel our mission to save the sea turtles from extinction. Our internship program fee is USD $1,250 for ten (10) weeks.
The internship fee covers the costs of:
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Lodging (all utilities paid for)
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Food (3 meals a day)
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Airport pickup transportation from Sanya Phoenix International Airport to your hotel / apartment.
We do not cover the costs of international airfare or visa fees.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to internship@seaturtles911.org.
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