Program Photos
Manatee Rehabilitation Careership in Belize
Location: Belize: Corozal Town
Term: Throughout the year
Program Duration: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad), 7-12 months (includes high school academic year abroad), 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Ongoing
Call Us
Phone: UK +44 (0) 207 193 2652 / USA +1 (415) 315 9942
Description
The tiny Central American country of Belize punches well above its weight in terms of wildlife. Just offshore a large population of West Indian manatees make their home in the warm coastal waters, a habitat that forms an important part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. These gentle herbivorous creatures live their entire lives (up to 50-60 years) in the water and have no natural predators, yet are all too often injured or orphaned by irresponsible fishing and boating accidents. This project gives you the opportunity to rescue and rehabilitate manatees while educating local populations about the animals' threatened existence. It also gives you the chance to get to know the diverse Belize culture, where English is the official language but Spanish, Creole, and tribal languages are also widely spoken.
You will work with a Manatee rehabilitation centre founded in 1990 to care for orphaned or injured manatees found in Belizean waters. It was here that Belize's first rehabilitation of an orphaned manatee took place, and 'Woody' was successfully released back into the wild after 2 years of care. Volunteers played a critical role in Woody's rehabilitation, helping provide the 24-hour intensive care in the early days, and then sharing the duties of feeding and pool cleaning as he grew. With the assistance of grants from donor agencies the Centre's facilities have been upgraded significantly. Three concrete pools and a lagoon enclosure provide the space and housing options to suit the needs of manatee calves at various ages. To date, no more than two manatees have been at the Centre at any one time, but with increasing boat accidents, numbers needing such care are unfortunately likely to increase. You can help nurse these impressive creatures back into the wild while raising awareness in the Belizean community.
Highlights
Work is shared between volunteers, and involves all aspects of manatee care. This includes food preparation of the milk replacement formula, bottle-feeding in the water, and clean-up. Carers also spend time working with the calf, providing companionship in the water in the early developmental stage, and monitoring behavior. Other essential activities include emptying, cleaning, filling and maintenance of the pools to ensure a clean environment for the calf or calves.
As the manatee grows older, and requires less individual attention, there are also public awareness activities that you can get involved with, increasing interest and knowledge among locals towards support for conservation of this threatened species. This includes visits to schools in the idyllic local fishing community, one of the stakeholder communities of Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, established by the Government of Belize for the protection of the West Indian Manatee.
You may also asked to help respond to calf strandings, should they occur elsewhere in Belize whilst you are stationed with the Rehabilitation Centre - which may involve helping release calves accidentally caught in fish-traps, or capture of injured or orphaned calves in need of rehabilitation.
Qualifications
* Minimum age 18
* Minimum 1 month commitment - 30+ hours a week.
* Enthusiasm and interest to work in with manatees and in Conservation
* Basic English
* Full travel & medical insurance
* Necessary vaccinations
* Necessary flights & visas
Intern Types
- Animal Sciences
- Biology(General)
- Development
- Ecology
- Sustainable Development
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Languages
- English
Cost in US$:
500 USD Project Fee per month + 249 GBP Placement Fee
Cost Include Description:
Includes all food, accommodation, 24 hour suport, Programme activities and transport from Sarteneja town to the project HQ.
Credit Available
yes
Volunteer Types
- Animal Welfare
- Biological Research
- Conservation
- Environment
- Relief
- Veterinary
- Volunteering
- Wildlife Surveying
This Program is open to
Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Group living
Participants Travel to Belize
Independently or in Groups
Application Process Involves
- Phone/Video Interview
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time is
1-3 daysPost Services Include
- Job and Internship Network
Global Nomadic Ltd's Mission Statement
Global Nomadic hosts a variety of projects and internships around the world, specially chosen for their ability to enhance career prospects in unique and diverse areas. We seek to specialise in serious placements, catering for those looking to get a foot in the door to the career they aspire to. We put you directly in touch with the project provider, offering a complete and ethical service.
Year Founded
2009
