Join a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center
If you’re looking for a hands-on veterinary internship abroad, this wildlife veterinary internship in Malawi could be a great opportunity for you. You’ll join a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center and, alongside an experienced veterinarian team, you’ll assist with a variety of treatments.
You’ll be part of a wildlife conservation organization based in Lilongwe. This well-established nonprofit is on a mission to protect local wildlife by rescuing injured animals, protecting habitat, running conservation education programs, and providing a sanctuary for a range of wildlife.
As part of this initiative, you’ll focus on veterinary treatments of animals such as baboons, small antelope, wild cats such as serval, porcupines, and anything else that might get brought into the center. You’ll assist with health checks, diagnostics, care plans, and emergency operations. When there is time, you’ll also assist in the overall management of the wildlife sanctuary, which will offer you an all-round experience in wildlife care and conservation.
You can apply for this wildlife veterinary internship if you’re a veterinary student or a veterinary nursing student. Your work will be adapted according to your level and experience.
Learning outcomes of this wildlife veterinary internship in Africa;
- Practical experience as a wildlife veterinarian
- Insights into conservation issues facing wildlife in Malawi
- An understanding of the day to day running of a wildlife conservation nonprofit
- Experience in wildlife care and management
QUICK FACTS
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Cape Town, South Africa |
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Environmental NGO |
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Facilitation, Research, Reporting, Monitoring, Education, Tree planting |
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8 Weeks |
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Varies |
ORGANISATION
You’ll join a wildlife conservation organization in Lilongwe, Malawi. This nonprofit is dedicated to protecting local wildlife, and they do this through a number of programs, including;
- The rescuing of injured wildlife and rehabilitation. Where possible, the wildlife is released back into the wild – otherwise they are looked after in the organization’s wildlife sanctuary.
- Campaigning against illegal wildlife trade, poaching, and other issues that are threatening wildlife.
- Educating local communities about the importance of their habitat and its many wildlife species.
- Lobbying with policy makers for wildlife protection.
TASKS & REQUIREMENTS
What you’ll do
As a veterinary intern on this program, your tasks will include;
- Doing exams and health checks, running routine diagnostics, doing rounds, and drawing up care plans.
- Assisting with emergency surgeries when they happen. (Note that this isn’t a daily occurrence.)
- Assisting with animal care and enrichment activities in the wildlife sanctuary
- Potentially doing field work with the local veterinarian team (depending on your level and the programs running at the time you’ll join) /li>
Requirements
- You need to be a veterinary student or a veterinary nursing student. (You can be in any year of your study program; the level of your work will be adapted to the level of your knowledge and experience.)
- A flexible approach to work
- A willingness to adapt to a foreign work environment
- A passion for wildlife conservation
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
You’ll stay at a comfortable shared house with other interns and volunteers, right in the 180-acre the sanctuary is based in. The reserve is home to a range of wildlife, including antelopes, small carnivores, hyenas, and crocodiles, so you’ll find yourself staying in a wonderful natural environment. The house has shared bedrooms, several communal spaces, and an outdoor deck and garden. Meals are cooked by our local chef every day except on Sunday, when you can sample some local restaurants in nearby urban areas, or get takeaway meals. The menu is vegetarian with a mix of international and local dishes.
DATES & RATES
The start/arrival date is every week on a Tuesday. Start and end dates will be discussed with you during the selection process.
What you’ll pay (2023 rates)
2 weeks GBP 1,370
4 weeks GBP 2,235
6 weeks GBP 2,885
8 weeks GBP 3,450
10 weeks GBP 3,930
12 weeks GBP 4,350
If you are interested in a longer internship, please contact us.
What you are paying for:
- Accommodation based on a shared room. Single rooms pending availability at an additional fee.
- Tuesday airport transfers to/from Lilongwe and all placement-related transport,
- Vegan/Vegetarian meals from Monday to Saturday and unlimited tea, coffee & filtered water
- Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
- Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
- An induction to the sanctuary and wider work
- A tour of Lilongwe city
- Local SIM card and T-shirt
- Regular check ins during your internship with you and your supervisor.
- Your own account on a career development platform that offers content and courses focused on exploring different career opportunities
- Troubleshooting if needed
- A reference letter at the end of your internship
Excludes:
- Flights
- Visa, vaccinations, TB scan, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Transfers for lost luggage to field sites
- Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
QUICK FACTS
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Lilongwe, Malawi |
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Wildlife conservation & Rehabilitation |
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Veterinary work, Animal care, Integrations, Observations, Enrichment activities |
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2-12 Weeks |
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From GBP 1,370 |
INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Gain a wealth of hands-on wildlife veterinary experience
- Get involved in the management of a wildlife sanctuary
- Contribute to important wildlife conservation work in Malawi
- Learn from experts in your field
- Stay in a small game reserve, surrounded by wildlife
- Boost your resume with international work experience
2 WEEKS GBP 1,370
4 WEEKS GBP 2,235
8 WEEKS GBP 3,450
12 WEEKS GBP 4,350
4 WEEKS GBP 2,235
8 WEEKS GBP 3,450
12 WEEKS GBP 4,350
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV with us.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
CONFIRMATION
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you all the information you need.
PAYMENT
We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit. Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
