[MARMAM] IMMS Animal Training Internship (Fall)

[Katherine Burton]

IMMS Animal Training Internship
Fall: August - November 2017
Deadline: June 1, 2017

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies ("IMMS") is a 501(c)(3) non-profit 
organization established in 1984 for the purposes of public education, 
conservation, and research on marine mammals in the wild and under human care. 
Located in Gulfport, Mississippi, IMMS has been an active participant of the 
National Stranding Network since its inception. IMMS is the premier stranding 
organization in the Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama region of the Gulf Coast with 
the capability and expertise to care for sick and injured marine mammals. IMMS 
serves as an important educational outlet for the Mississippi Gulf Coast, 
incorporating programs for conservation, education and research of marine 
mammals and their environment.

Program Description
The IMMS Animal Training Internship Program is designed as a way for 
students/individuals interested in a career in animal care and training to gain 
valuable experience in a real-world setting. Interns will primarily be trained 
in aspects of animal care, but will also participate in other activities at 
IMMS. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of 
areas while providing expert training and experience. This is an unpaid 
position and all interns are responsible for their own housing and 
transportation.

Duties
The IMMS animal care and training staff is in charge of caring for Atlantic 
bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and large parrots. Interns will work 
directly with animal care staff and be exposed to all aspects of the daily 
routine. Heavy emphasis is placed on basic tasks such as food preparation, and 
daily cleaning and facility maintenance. Interns will learn how to train 
animals with operant conditioning through observation and may assist during 
sessions. Enrichment is very important to the well-being of our animals and 
interns will be asked to design and implement an enrichment device for our 
dolphins and/or birds. Interns will also give educational presentation to 
guests before they interact with our animals, as well as help staff with daily 
water quality. Because we want interns to have a well-rounded experience, they 
will also be asked to assist in other departments. Interns may participate as 
1) environmental educators and assist in giving presentations to the public, 2) 
research assistants that help with our many wild dolphin based research 
studies, or 3) emergency responders as IMMS is part of the Southeast Regional 
Marine Mammal Stranding Network and responds to stranded marine mammals and sea 
turtles.

Eligibility Requirements
Interns must be:
* 18 years or older.
* A recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences.
* Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position.
* Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The 
internship can be extended depending on work performance.
* Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
* Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in 
extreme conditions.
* Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of 
responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn.
* Financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS 
staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements.
* Able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations.

To Apply

Please send the following documents to: 
kbur...@imms.org with "Animal Training Internship" in 
the subject line.

  *   IMMS Animal Training Internship 
Application
  *   Resume with cover letter.
  *   Two letters of recommendation - Provide at least one academic, and one 
work/volunteer- related reference if applicable. Letters may be emailed from 
the applicant or the person providing the recommendation letter.
  *   A copy of your current official college transcript. Applicants may submit 
an unofficial copy.
  *   Full photograph

Documents must be in one of the following formats - PDF, .doc, .docx, and must 
be submitted together with your first and last name and the date in the file 
name.
Ex)
2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Resume,
2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Application,
2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Transcript.


Katherine Burton
Marine Mammal Trainer
Rescue and Rehab Specialist
Animal Training Internship Coordinator
Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
10801 Dolphin Lane
Gulfport, MS 39503

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[MARMAM] New publication: Intra- and interspecific niche partitioning in striped and common dolphins inhabiting the southwestern Mediterranean Sea

[Joan Giménez Verdugo]

Dear all,

We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in
"Marine Ecology Progress Series":


Giménez, J., Cañadas, A., Ramírez, F., Afán, I., García-Tiscar, S.,
Fernández-Maldonado, C., Castillo, JJ & de Stephanis, R. (2017). Intra-and
interspecific niche partitioning in striped and common dolphins inhabiting
the southwestern Mediterranean Sea. *Marine Ecology Progress Series*, *567*,
199-210.

*Abstract:*Community structure and functioning is shaped by resource
partitioning between co-occurring species. Niche differentiation among
sympatric species can be reached through trophic, spatial or temporal
segregation to avoid competitive exclusion. Intraspecific segregation in
the use of habitats and resources might determine, in turn, a population’s
niche width and interspecific segregation. The Alboran Sea is the only area
in the Mediterranean where common and striped dolphins coexist abundantly.
Therefore, these putative competing species provided the opportunity to
investigate niche partitioning through spatial modelling and trophic
analysis. Density surface modelling and nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes
(δ15N and δ13C) were used to investigate spatial and trophic niche
partitioning at inter- and intraspecific levels. The 2 species showed high
isotopic overlap. However, we could not rule out the possibility of
interspecific trophic segregation, as isotopic similarity does not
necessarily mean true ecological or dietary similarity. Among conspecifics,
variations in δ15N and δ13C values with dolphin length pointed to
ontogenetic dietary changes in striped dolphins, while sex played only a
minor role in δ13C values. Spatially, these species tended to segregate
their core areas of distribution, with common dolphins being more coastal
than striped dolphins, which occupied adjacent, deeper waters. Overall, the
main enabler for the coexistence of common and striped dolphins in the
Alboran Sea was spatial segregation.
You can download the paper in:
http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v567/p199-210/
 or visit my ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Gimenez
)

Kind Regards,


-- 
*Joan Giménez Verdugo*
*PhD Student* *Severo Ochoa*
Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC)
Department of Conservation Biology
Americo Vespucio Ave, s/n
41092 Sevilla (Spain)
www.ebd.csic.es
---
Research Gate: Joan Giménez

Phone: +34 619 176 849
ü Please consider the environment before printing this E-mail


;
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[MARMAM] Job opportunity with MAR Specialists

[Peter Wallerstein]

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH MARNE ANIMAL RESCUE SPECIALISTS

Marine Animal Rescue Specialists (MAR) is authorized by the National Marine 
Fisheries Service for pinniped and dolphin rescues along with whale 
dis-entanglement calls. Over the past three decades MAR has conducted 5,000 
marine mammal rescues. In 2015, MAR rescued 495 marine mammals. We are looking 
for a couple of people with experience in marine mammal rescue. 
www.marspecialists.org

You must have pinniped, especially sea lion rescue experience to apply.

POSITION: MARINE ANIMAL RESCUE SPECIALIST

LOCATION: MAR’s authorized territory is Los Angeles County from Pacific 
Palisades to Long Beach and west to Catalina, California.

HOURS: 8 HOURS PER DAY 2 DAYS PER WEEK Be prepared to work long days from 
January to June.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience and skills

JOB DESCRIPTION: Must be available five days a week, 8 hours per day for 
response, rescue and transportation of marine animals. Will be responsible for 
accurately evaluating the condition of a stranded marine animal. Will be 
responsible for conducting rescue operations on beaches, rock jetties, docks 
and other common as well as uncommon stranding locations, and to learn the 
proper use of specialized marine animal rescue, transportation and safety 
equipment. Must be able to work in cooperation with local agencies and 
volunteers and be responsible to know all local, state and Federal laws 
pertaining to the rescuing of marine animals.

START: Within a couple of months

REFERENCES AND REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·   Provide background/references

·   A valid drivers license with no points

·   Minimum one year experience in rescuing seals and sea lions

·   Must correctly identify local marine animal species along with 
knowledge of

   birthing seasons and natural behaviors of marine animals

·   Some animal-related emergency medical experience

·   Must meet challenging physical fitness requirements

·   24 hour Hazwhoper certificate

·   Small boat handling

·   Able to drive 4WD Pickup truck

OTHER REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES:

 ·   Maintain rescue and transportation equipment

 ·   Responsible for school visits

 ·   Must be enthusiastic with good communication skills and be able to 
work with

others, including Coast Guard, Lifeguards, Police, etc.

 ·   When on-call, must answer calls promptly

 ·   Must pass County Beach Safety Driving Course

 ·   Coordinate volunteers

MAR is looking for committed individuals who would like to make rescuing marine 
animals a career. Training will be provided by MAR to ensure continued high 
level of response for any marine animal calls. MAR will not consider candidates 
looking for a temporary position. Long-term applicants will be the only ones 
considered.

Send in your cover letter, resume and references to the email address below.

Contact: Peter Wallerstein, p...@marspecialists.org

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