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MULTIPLE-ACTIVITY WILDLIFE REHABILITATION IN PERTH
A varied and fascinating Wildlife
Rehabilitation Project that helps all types of animals throughout the
whole of Perth. You'll work at the Rehabilitation
Centre, as well as on various different
projects throughout the city in locations that enable you to travel
around Perth. These can range from a national
park, to the river or coast, from Wetlands, beaches and possibly Perth
Zoo, to working in schools or in an urban park.
If you do any
placement in Perth, an Indigenous
(Aborigine) Heritage tour
in Kings Park, Perth's No. 1 tourist
attraction, is included
in your itinerary, free of charge!
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►SUMMARY
FACTFILE |
| Start Dates |
All year round - you choose your
start and finish dates! |
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Duration |
From 4
weeks to 1 year, subject to visa restrictions |
| Requirements |
No qualifications or
experience required, but you must be adaptable, enthusiastic and
have lots of initiative |
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Price |
From
£1,995 / US$2,995 for 4 weeks, ranging to £3,745
/ US$5,620 for 12 weeks.
Full Price List and other
Currencies |
| What's included |
►Accommodation
►Food (excluding
lunch)
►Meeting you at the Airport
►Transfer to your accommodation
►Full
pre-departure support
►Local in-country team support and backup
►24-hr emergency
support
►2 free T-shirts |
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What's not included |
Flights, Insurance,
Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and
assistance), Transport to and
from your project, Return transfer to the airport. |
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Who can do this Project? |
All projects are
open to all nationalities.
You need to be aged between 17 and 70+ |
Also on this
page:
PROJECT
OVERVIEW
Australia is one of the most biologically
diverse countries in the world, with a large portion of species endemic
to Australia. Preserving this wealth of biodiversity is important for
future generations. Thought of by many as one of the worlds last
wildernesses, Australia is home to a unique and fragile ecosystem that
needs our help and protection.The elements of work you'll assist with
are diverse - something to suit everyone. You'll work with an organisation that is totally run by volunteers who are
dedicated to
conserving Australia’s threatened wildlife and ecosystems - it's
an immensely worthwhile project which has a very high level of personal
satisfaction. You'll assist in taking care of a variety
of different types of animals that need your help, as well as working
with plants and trees, habitat restoration and heritage protection - in one of the most beautiful parts of
Australia! Flexibility:
Another attraction of this multi-faceted project is that if you decide
that there is one particular project that you would prefer to work on,
rather than devoting time to many different projects, we can arrange for
you to do so, if it is feasible at the time you're there.
They have many animal species on site, such as pelicans, kangaroos and
even at times penguins - during the day the place is active with animal
movement, making it a very interesting environment!
This project will enable you to
contribute your time and skills to help the environment, broaden your life
experience and work with others
who share your love of nature! If you're looking for a broad
experience then this project is your answer.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
The enormous satisfaction of helping animals and
knowing that you made a difference to them.
New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding
of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional
development.
An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head
and shoulders above most others in the job market
And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
WORK CONTENT:
You may find the work
challenging but it is truly rewarding and you'll receive training on-site.
Some of the animals have to stay at the Centre for a long time before they
can be released because certain things have to be taken into account, such
as the time of year, if there is sufficient water around, bad or stormy
weather, release sites and habitat re-development Another important aspect
is the number of animals in the area and whether the area can sustain them
without risk of over-population. You will be exposed to all these elements
while on your project. You'll gain a lot of practical experience and you'll
learn a tremendous amount.
The type of work is very varied, depending on
the time of year, but includes endangered flora and fauna surveys and
monitoring, weed control, tree planting, erosion and salinity control, seed
collection, construction and maintenance of walking tracks, habitat
restoration and heritage protection.
The range of activities you may
undertake includes:
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Caring for the animals and
birds, including cleaning enclosures and cages.
- Preparing food and water for the animals.
- Filling the duck and swan pond.
- Assisting with compiling medical records for all new animals that are brought to the Centre.
- Checking the animal diet board to ensure that the sick or injured animals are receiving the meals
that have been specified for them.
- Cleaning the hospital boxes and tanks.
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You may be able to assist with animal
captures, but this will depend on a number of factors, such as whether
the animal is dangerous, what type of terrain it is stranded in, and
whether there are captures while you're there.
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Surveys and monitoring
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Ground maintenance.
This includes tasks such as: checking the upkeep of the animal
enclosures; checking the hoses and fixing them if required; checking the
various pieces of equipment and reporting which need replacing or
repairing, in order to ensure things are kept to the best standard
possible
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Gardening and Laundry
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Help in the office with
some administration
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Animal welfare:
the Centre has the policy that the feelings and
mental welbeing of the animals, not the people, comes first! The centre
brings in wild animals that are in desperate need of help, so you should
be prepared for the fact that some of these injured or abused animals
die and some have to be put to sleep.
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You may also be able to
assist with the various school groups that come to the Centre on
educational outings. They usually have at least one group a week.
Education and Training Programmes:
You
may also get involved in
the many different education and training programs that are open to the public.
They have a course suitable for any interested person, young or old. These
include general training in wildlife care, work experience, training for
vets and vet students in native animal care and handling, one-off tours and
talks for school groups
Hours can vary depending on the work which needs to be done, the time of
year, season etc. You will generally work 5 days a week, often with early
starts, but generally from around 8.00 to 3.00 or 9.00 to 4.00. Days may
include weekends but you will have two days off a week.
Please note that the
work that you'll be involved in depends on what is available at the time of
your placement.
REQUIREMENTS:
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You
should
be a hands-on
person who loves
the outdoors.
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You
should be in good health and reasonably fit and able to work in a team.
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You must
be prepared for some hard physical work,
especially during the summer time when it can get extremely hot.
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You must be
willing to get stuck in and get your
hands dirty.
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Also flexible and be prepared
to move around the City and be willing to go wherever
you're needed.
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Very Important - you
will need to use your initiative and be very proactive, be patient and
determined.
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Like most conservation
work, there are spiders and snakes in some locations, so you should
reconsider this project if you have a fear of these.
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Lastly, self-reliance and independence
will help you make the most of
this wonderful opportunity!
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Click here
to see a photo gallery of the Rehabilitation Centre
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
.jpg)
"This baby kangaroo
is little Shane Junior, he is about five months old. The poor little guy's mother was shot in the wild and
he was brought to the Centre to give him a fighting chance for
survival. He'll stay there until he is ready to be moved
and will either be relocated to another location more suitable for him
or he'll remain at the Centre until adulthood, which could be up to 16
months After that he'll be released back to the wild. Just an example of
truly wonderful work done at the Centre!” Andrew KempKeep track
of Shane Junior's progress in photos
here
A successful release back into the wild!
Three birds fortunate to be rescued
Cormorant and Pelican eyeing each other
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ABOUT
THE WILDLIFE CENTRE |
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The Centre we work with is a volunteer non-profit
organisation set up in 1989 and is run by a registered CALM wildlife carer.
In November 1998, land adjacent to the Cockburn Wetland Education Centre was
leased and developed to provide a natural setting for the treatment and
rehabilitation of all types of animals, birds and reptiles, either brought
to the centre or collected by a Centre volunteer. It is also an ideal location to release many of the
animals when fully recovered. Many of the animals are injured while others
are sick, distressed or exhausted (particularly big sea birds such as giant
petrels blown off course by storms).
The aim of of the Centre is to rehabilitate sick, injured
or orphaned wild life back into their natural environment as soon as
possible. Unfortunately some of the animals cannot be returned to the wild
because of their injuries. In these cases, they are retained for educational
purposes and for breeding. Some of these animals also become foster parents
to young injured animals.
The Centre is unfunded and relies on donations and a
small core of dedicated volunteers. There is little funding available for
the care of wildlife, but food and medication still has to be supplied. The
Centre works in conjunction with local vets, rangers, CALM, RSPCA, and
Murdoch University Vet School. The adjacent Cockburn Wetlands Education
Centre and Yonga Aboriginal Education Centre, together with school groups
and young adults on work experience provide the centre with a steady source
of students. The project
aims are all based on achieving
real conservation results around Perth
Australia is home to more biodiversity than any other developed nation on
Earth. In fact Australia is one of the six most bio-diverse nations on the planet
- over 80% of its mammals, flowering plants and reptiles are only found in
Australia! The flora and fauna is so unique you’ll continually be amazed.
HOW THE CENTRE BEGAN - A brief history by the Karen, the Director
"People often ask how [the Centre] came about and the
answer really stems back to the day I took my family to Bibra Lake one
Sunday for my daughter’s birthday 17 years ago.We were walking around the front of the lake when we
spotted a swan just lying on the bank without movement, mouth open and
weak. It was a hot day and we thought it was dehydrated, so not knowing
any better we placed it in the water for a drink. This is when we knew
it was in trouble because it started to drown. We removed it from the
water and I told my husband I was going to take it home and help. He
suggested we report it to someone else and let him or her deal with it.
Back home, I started to call around for help but,
being a Sunday, everywhere was closed. I knew I wouldn’t rest knowing
that the bird needed help and I couldn’t just leave it there. I went
back to the lake, found it in the same place and took it home.
This is when I decided this was not right. Animals
don’t get sick "nine to five" Mondays to Fridays. I again started
calling around for help and this time I located a lady named Helen in
Willetton who was knowledgeable on water birds. She was able to give me
some information over the phone on how to care for the swan. The
following day I met Helen and she explained the bird was suffering from
botulism, caused by contaminated water, and she showed me how to treat
it properly. She also said there were a few carers who looked after
animals in their own back yards.
I went to the lake all week, removed some dead birds
and took the sick ones home. In a week I was looking after two swans,
three sea gulls and two coots. Unfortunately one sea gull and a coot
died but I now realised I could help the sick birds in a small way. The
other birds survived and I had great reward in seeing them released back
into the wild.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Today we
receive over 3000 wild life a year and help with thousands of phone
calls for advice. We receive animals from vets, CALM, RSPCA, council
rangers and the general public. The centre now has over 45 volunteers,
who help with the daily cleaning, feeding, pick-ups from vets, rescues
of injured wildlife and treatment. We also have work experience students
from schools colleges and TAFE working at the centre."
THE IMPORTANCE OF
CONSERVATION IN AUSTRALIA:
Australia's geographical isolation has resulted in the evolution of
many delicate ecological relationships that are sensitive to foreign
invaders and in many instances provided no natural predators for many of
the species subsequently introduced.
In the last 200 years, since European
settlement, many plants have been introduced that have caused widespread
problems, such as lantana and the prickly pear bush. The introduction
and spread of animals such as the cane toad or rabbit can disrupt the
existing balances between populations and develop into environmental
problems. The introduction of cattle into Australia, and to a lesser
extant the dingo, are other examples of species that have changed the
landscape. In some cases the introduction of new species can lead to
plagues and the extinction of endemic species.
Australia has seen the loss of 70% of her
native vegetation, including 75% of her rainforests. Loss of species
goes hand in hand with loss of habitat and 23% of mammals
have become extinct - the worst mammal extinction rate in the world.
Around 20% of Australia's remaining mammals species are now threatened
with extinction. Nine percent of birds and 16% of amphibians are
either already extinct or extremely vulnerable.
These alarming figures indicate how vital the
conservation of native Australian wildlife really is.
Australia supports a significant
proportion of the world's biodiversity - over 80% of its mammals,
flowering plants and reptiles are only found in Australia. The
destruction and fragmentation of habitat, particularly as a result of
clearance of vegetation for agriculture, and the impact of feral animals
and invasive weeds, has had a substantial impact on Australia's
biodiversity.
Read about the various
Australian animals under threat.
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Birds awaiting their release back into the wild
A young kangaroo basking in the sun
Friendly Bobtail Lizard
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ACCOMMODATION: YOUR
ARRIVAL AND INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNTRY |
You'll have the opportunity to relax
on the beautiful beaches of Perth.
Jenny Ashworth, Travellers Australia Manager and long-time
friend of our UK Team! |
Accommodation: Your accommodation is located in the CBD (Central Business District) of Perth, Western
Australia. Therefore you are very central, close to the main train station
and shopping district.
You'll be accommodated in a centrally
located lodge that is
friendly and relaxing, making it ideal for long term stays. You'll most
likely your
own room, but will share a bathroom with others on your floor. There is an
excellent kitchen and storage area for cooking meals and plenty of space to
relax.
Entertainment at the Lodge currently includes a pool table, cheap internet
access, arcade machines and cable TV (Foxtel), to name a few, but with all
the sunshine Perth has, you’ll be out and about enjoying the many outdoor
activities! You are literally a stroll from the Swan River and free CBD
transport. Trains and buses are also only a few minutes away to take you to
Fremantle, King’s Park or to the many other things to do in the region!
Click
here to visit the Lodges' website for more information.
The city centre
boasts great shopping, restaurants and pubs or you can head over to Northbridge for
more pubs, nightclubs and multicultural cuisine. You'll get to work via bus,
which stops outside your accommodation.
Food:
You'll be given a budget for your food. This will usually be on a monthly
basis, although it may vary if you are staying for a shorter period of time.
The food budget is sufficient to cover basic meals of breakfast and dinner
and does not include 'luxuries' such as wine, etc. It does not include lunch
but you can make sandwiches in the kitchen at the Lodge or buy your lunch
out when you're at work.
You'll receive your first monthly budget when you arrive. Most people stock
up on basics, such as butter, sugar, tea & coffee that don't need to be
bought as frequently and then budget their money to last until the following
allocation.
A little about Perth: Perth was built on the
banks of the magnificent Swan River over 150 years ago and is now a city
rich in culture and filled with theatres, art galleries and museums.
The city is modern and vibrant - a fun, friendly and 'laid back' place, with
clear skies and a sunny climate. Western Australia is locally known as the
'state of excitement!'
Some of its more famous attractions include
Kings Park, Scarborough Beach, Fremantle and the Swan River.
Fremantle (or as the local’s call it, ‘Freo’) is the city’s port and is
rich in history. At weekends you will find
markets,
entertainment and plenty of alfresco style cafes to laze in.
Perth has
restaurants to suit all tastes - the most popular cuisine is of course the
great Australian BBQ. Barbeque facilities are abundant in local parks - take
your own food and cook up a feast, Australian style! For meals in local
restaurants, a trip to Perth's inner city centre is well worth the effort -
it bustles with activity and offers a range of choices of restaurants.
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU:
As with all our
destinations, the Australian Culture and heritage must be borne in mind. Self-reliance
and independence are highly appreciated in all our destinations and will
help you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity!
Once you have applied for a placement, we will send you detailed information
about Australia, as well as an equally detailed Safety Guide - both of these
will help to make your stay in Australia one that you will never forget
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TRAVEL, VISAS, plus SUPPORT & BACKUP: |
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You will fly into Perth where
you'll be met by
Jenny,
our local organiser, or another member of staff. From the airport you'll be taken to your accommodation.
During the first few days of your stay you
will also receive an induction at your place of work.
Several days later, once you have settled in and recovered from the flight, you
will begin working at your project.
You have the option to arrange your
own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would
like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights
and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will
be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Limited, ATOL No. 6856.
Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the
same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other
volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up
before leaving for your placement.
VISAS:
We will liaise with you about
specific requirements, if any, and make the Visa process very easy.
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our
volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination
country.
Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa
and the level of your air ticket,
of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get
a changeable ticket.
To read about the excellent Support
& Backup we provide before you leave and during
your programme,
please click here.
We can also arrange your flight
dates
to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a
fascinating and wondrous country!
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Rescued Black Cockatoo
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