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Wildlife & Penguin Care Program
Wildlife & Penguin Care Program

Tasmania, Australia

Wildlife & Penguin Care Program

Trip Highlights

  • Incredible volunteering opportunity to protect, rescue and rehabilitate the native species in Tasmania
  • Work with the experienced rehabilitators, and learn more about the wildlife of the region, what troubles they face and what necessary steps should be taken to protect them
  • Learn about the importance of maintaining a healthy natural environment to ensure the well-being of the native species
  • Meet new friends from around the world and create an enriching experience for yourself

Overview

Overview

Be a volunteer for the Wildlife & Penguin Rescue Program in Tasmania and experience the goodness of living amidst nature, while protecting and nurturing the adorable animals. If you've always wanted to spend some time close to nature and actively get engaged with wildlife conservation, then now is the best time for that.

You'll be working at the Pademelon Park which is a non-profit organization in coastal Tasmania. Working with the founders,  Vicki and Geoff, you'll be engaged in rescuing and rehabilitating the sick, injured and orphaned native Australian wildlife and nurture them back to health so that they may be returned to the natural environment.

This would be a great opportunity for Veterinary students who are looking for meaningful international work experience. Your contribution is enormous as the feeding schedule of the animals is a busy one, and the shelter needs surrogate mums (volunteers) to provide food for the babies and care for them. Animals need exercising every day so they may become strong and resilient and
grounds require constant attention.

Previously, volunteers have had the satisfaction of helping to make a positive difference to the lives of the animals, and in the process, gain new skills, knowledge, and confidence. So what are you waiting for? No matter whether you are looking for a meaningful gap year program or just keen to serve the animals on your next solo trip - we'll be happy to have you on board.


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. Every volunteer is required to show proof of Tetanus vaccination prior to joining the program. The program is suitable for those with a keen interest in animal and wildlife conservation. However, the program is open to all and you do not need the necessary qualifications to join the program. Participants should be prepared to work outdoors and should be fit and healthy.


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

As a volunteer for this program, your daily activities may consist of:

  • Bottle feeding all young animals
  • Toileting young animals after feeds (please see the shelter owner if you are uncomfortable with this task as it must be done properly)
  • Exercising young animals
  • Assisting in rescue calls
  • Cleaning animal enclosures
  • Building / repairing animal enclosures
  • Keeping the grounds clean and tidy
  • Keeping the volunteer accommodation clean and tidy
  • Composting
  • Caring for the chickens
  • Food shopping etc

Other activities include capturing injured wildlife, cleaning cages & enclosures, providing enrichment, harvesting/collecting food for the animals, environment re-establishment (after wombats are released), holding an animal during a medical examination (training given), helping catch a wombat or a wallaby (training given), laundry duties and tree planting.

Volunteers usually compost and garden to provide food for the animals in care as well as care for the vegetable garden, which the volunteers can eat from. Chooks are fed, watered and eggs collected and there is the unloading of bulk pellet deliveries (20 kg sacks every 6 weeks).


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

The tentative daily work schedule for the volunteers is as follows. This can vary as well.

6 AM - Your day would start early and you'll have to bottle feed the younger animals and complete tasks until approximately 8 AM.
8 AM - Time for breakfast, and then, volunteers complete more bottle rounds, enjoy a coffee break and work until lunch.
3 PM - you can wrap up work and be free to chill & relax.


Living

Living

Arrival Info

The Project is located in Bicheno, Tasmania, 185 km north-east of Hobart. Volunteers need to arrive in Hobart and then take a bus to Bicheno.

Volunteers are picked up by a staff member and transferred to the project. Once you arrive, you are introduced to the staff, other volunteers, shown to your room and given some time to settle in, relax and acclimatize. 

Orientation

Volunteers will be oriented and guided about the work to do. The first week involves lots of on the job training as each volunteer learns the different tasks involved in caring for the animals and the different jobs that need to be carried out to support the animals and the maintenance of the project. 

Accommodation

Accommodation is in a shared cabin with a kitchenette and bathroom. There is a place for your personal belongings and space for your bags.

Meals

Volunteers are provided with all the supplies for the meals but they prepare and cook their meals in their private kitchenette. The project has its own chooks onsite, therefore volunteers are welcome to fresh organic eggs. Volunteers can go into town to purchase snacks and drinks for themselves, whenever they want to.


Dates

Dates

2023

January

03

10

17

24

February

07

14

21

28

March

07

14

21

28

April

04

11

18

25

May

02

09

16

23

30

June

06

13

20

27

July

04

11

18

25

August

01

08

15

22

29

September

05

12

19

26

October

03

10

17

24

31

November

07

14

21

28

December

05

12

19

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

2 Weeks $1050
3 Weeks $1450
4 Weeks $1850
5 Weeks $2250
6 Weeks $2650
7 Weeks $3085
8 Weeks $3520
Extra Week $435

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 4% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

What are you Paying for?

  • Pre-departure support
  • Project Information Pack
  • Return transfers from the local town to the project
  • On the job training
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • In Country Support
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Flights
  • Return transfers from the airport to the local town
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Spending
  • Visas

Reviews

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ's Application and Program Details

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Accommodation and Living

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