DESCRIPTION The Sloth Institute Costa Rica (TSI) was founded in 2014 for the purpose of enhancing the welfare of captive and wild sloths through research and education. TSI also rescues, rehabilitates and releases sloths. TSI is a legal non-profit in Costa Rica and fiscally sponsored by a US 501(c)(3) tax deductible non-profit. Our headquarters and projects, are located in the Manuel Antonio rainforest maritime zone property at Tulemar Resort; a short distance from Manuel Antonio National Park.
Position Description: The Sloth Husbandry Intern absolutely must have the ability to work long days (9+ hours) with little time off (1 day per week). In addition, because we get rescue calls in the middle of the night sometimes; this person must be willing to work outside of normal hours when needed. This person must be extremely dedicated to sloth conservation and willing to forgo personal comfort for the benefit of the animals. You will be hot, sweaty, wet, cold, eaten by mosquitos, sleepy, sore, and tired but you'll still feel that there is no other place in the world that you would rather be than helping sloths get better so they can return to the jungle. The ideal person will eat, sleep, breathe and dream about sloths! This is rigorous animal care work, with only necessary direct contact with the animals. You will be close to the animals when needed for feedings and care, so you must know how to respect their personal space and the fact that they are wild animals.
Duties:
- Assist in medical treatments and administer medication
- Preparing food/collecting wild food items for sloths
- Feeding (including hand-feeding when needed), cleaning cages and and enriching sloth cages
- Assist in opportunistic capture, sample collection and release of sloths
- Keep animal areas and facilities clean and organized
Qualifications/Experience: All applicants must be physically fit, healthy, have animal care experience, excellent communication skills, a strong interest in animal welfare and conservation and a great sense of humor. Applicant must be organized and a clean/tidy person. You will report directly to the Sloth Director on a daily basis and will need to be able to recognize medical/behavioral/husbandry issues and notify the director in a timely manner. Must be able to work well and efficiently alone as well as in a team environment. Coursework and/or experience in zoology, animal husbandry, or veterinary medicine is required. Experience traveling to a tropical country and living in rainforest conditions are a plus. Spanish language skills and experience working with lab analysis tests (hematology, urinalysis, fecal analysis etc) is a plus. Must complete required vaccinations and purchase current international health insurance prior to arrival in Costa Rica. Must be non-smoker.
Salary/Funding: This is a voluntary/self-funded position but room in a shared apartment with shared common facilities and basic meals will be provided. WIFI, electricity and running water is also included. You will be responsible for all travel expenses/flights and immigration expenses; health insurance expenses.
Term of Appointment: Must be willing to stay at least 6 months with an option for extension upon review.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply please send your CV and letter of interest to volunteers@theslothinstitute.org or apply online http://www.theslothinstitutecostarica.org/volunteer-in-costa-rica/
