WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER PROFILE
A person who has a love of Australian fauna and flora, works well in a small team environment and likes to get their hands dirty. You will have availability to volunteer one day a week for a minimum 6-month commitment.
LEVEL OF FITNESS REQUIRED: A high level of physical fitness is required for this role.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Wildlife Volunteers play a key role assisting in the care of our precious wildlife collection, working alongside our Wildlife Keepers on their daily rounds assisting with the cleaning, feeding and care of the animals in the Sanctuary collection.
There are a number of rounds that Wildlife Volunteers can work on which include:
- Mammal rounds
- Bird rounds
- Reptile rounds
- Lost Valley Precinct
- Exotic animals at the Lost Valley Precinct
- Koala Habitat
You will be willing to spend your day working hard performing the key tasks below. The range of animals in the Sanctuary is diverse; it includes Australian native fauna and also some exotic species. Just a few of the animals you may meet include Kangaroos, Wombats, Koalas, Dingoes, Emus, Lorikeets, Snakes, Frogs and even Stick Insects!
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Be aged over 18 years
- Be able to work an 8-hour shift, one day per week, providing support to a specific Wildlife Keeper on a specific round
- Have a high level of fitness, requiring extensive walking, bending and lifting
- We require that you offer a minimum 6-month commitment to the program
- Be willing to work outdoors in all-weather / seasons
- Willing to wear the volunteer uniform, comply with program standards and complete all training
- We prioritise applicants that have previous experience in caring for, or working with animals, and have desire to learn and perform all the duties required.
KEY TASKS
- Daily cleaning of animal enclosures which include raking, sweeping, hosing, scrubbing perching and other duties.
- Refurbishing the animal enclosures and assisting with general enclosure maintenance to ensure safe and happy animals.
- Food preparation and making animal enrichments.
- Observations of the animals.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
- Learn animal care skills and knowledge in an accredited Australian zoological facility, renowned nationally for our research, conservation, training and animal care activities.
- Give back to support a worthy charity. Help us achieve our conservation mission to conserve our wildlife, environment and natural heritage for future generations.
- This program has a registration fee of $60 which to cover the cost of a volunteer uniform shirt, cap and badge. You will need to provide your own work boots and khaki shorts or trousers. You will receive a NTAQ TEAM Member card (after 3 months of volunteering) with multiple benefits including free entry and discounted offers at the Sanctuary and other Qld National Trust properties for you and your family/ friends.
Please note that we open and close access to this program throughout the year, as positions fill and then become vacant. If the program is currently closed, please check back again as it will soon re-open.