VOLUNTEER VETERINARY

The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) was established in 2003 by Münster Zoo and the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP). It is the first nature conservation centre in Cambodia, located on 25 ha of land in the Phnom Kulen National Park, ca. 50 km north of Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor Wat. The goals of the ACCB are the rehabilitation of confiscated, mainly globally threatened wildlife and the conservation breeding of selected species, in combination with environmental education and capacity building for conservation and an expanding in-situ conservation and research programme.

For additional information regarding the project please familiarize yourself further at our websites: www.accb-cambodia.org, www.facebook.com/ACCBCambodia.

The ACCB is currently looking for a Volunteer Veterinary. This is a challenging but rewarding position for a highly dedicated and motivated individual with a keen interest in making a contribution to conservation. As the current animal stock does not require a full-time veterinarian, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to do relevant research work on site. In addition, he/she will have to be prepared to support a variety of other activities at ACCB as required, e.g. general animal husbandry, education, maintenance, administration, and fundraising. The veterinarian reports to the Project Manager and works as part of the animal keeping team.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Attend to animal stock at ACCB in all veterinary regards, e.g. initial health check and monitoring of new arrivals during quarantine, routine checks and health screening.

• Advise on and refine existing general protocols from a specialist veterinary perspective, e.g. regarding initial examination, quarantine, and husbandry in general and specific for certain species, and refine the maintenance of a long-term veterinary database.

• Training of ACCB staff in standard veterinary procedures, e.g. first aid and intensive care, identification and treatment of parasites, post mortem examination, chemical immobilisation.

• Advise on and assist with improvements of animal facilities, e.g. repairs, furnishing of enclosures, and environmental enrichment.
  
  
• Maintenance of surgery room, drug stocks and veterinary equipment.

• Assist with the daily operation of ACCB with regards to animal stock and carry out all aspects of animal husbandry and rehabilitation as part of the animal keeping team.

• Seek funds for and carry out veterinary research as opportunities arise.

• Other tasks as required, e.g. public education, administration and fund raising. Specific projects at ACCB as well as in the field may also be undertaken depending on opportunities available.

Requirements:

• Good command of English (spoken and written).

• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

• Flexibility and ability to cope with a sometimes heavy workload (while at other times there may be no vet work at all) and to multi-task in a demanding environment.

• Good practical skills and common sense.

• Computer literacy.

• Physically fit and able to work in a hot and humid climate.

• Ability to live under simple conditions in a poor and rural area in a different culture.

Conditions / remuneration:

• Free shared accommodation at ACCB and a small stipend to cover living expenses

• On-site transport and internet access available.

• Preference will be given to candidates indicating that they are prepared to stay for longer periods.

Starting date: as soon as possible

Please apply via email including covering letter, CV and the contact details of two referees to:

Dr. Martina Raffel, Allwetterzoo Münster, Sentruper Straße 315, D-48161 Münster, Germany. Email: raffel@allwetterzoo.de