Tropical Bat Technician Internship

During the Tropical Bat Technician Apprenticeship, you will learn how to set-up mist-nets, extract bats safely from mist-nets, learn proper bat processing and handling techniques, learn how to I.D., sex, and age, learn proper data entry, and more. In addition to capture techniques, the Apprenticeship includes a lecture on Neotropical bat families as well as access to a Wildlife Acoustics EchoMeter Touch acoustic monitoring device for entry-level learning on acoustic monitoring techniques. The main tutor is a highly trained biologist with 5 years of experience handling bats and over 15 years of experience studying various wildlife taxa in Canada and Latin America. Apprentices may also have the opportunity to sit-in on lectures related to bird banding and other avian monitoring techniques by NABC Certified Trainers and/or may sign up for the full NABC workshop and certification session offered during this internship time period.

Fees for the Apprenticeship:

$364 US/week which includes all tutorship, access to all required equipment, all food (self-catering in communal kitchen but ingredients provided) and lodging at the research center in shared dormitory-style cabins with other same sex interns/apprentices/volunteers. Fees do not include airport transfer, flights, or travel medical insurance.

Dates for the Apprenticeship:

Interns can choose to do a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 6 weeks during this Apprenticeship program, though 4 weeks is the recommended duration.

Schedule:

Bat mist-netting runs every day Monday through Friday, from 5:30 pm until 11:00 pm. Apprentices are welcome to travel to visit other locations in Belize on weekends if they desire, however no refunds on food and lodging will be available if the apprentice decides to leave the station.

Prior Experience:

No prior bat handling or mist-netting experience required however experience handling wildlife is an asset. However, experienced bat biologists are also welcome and will be treated according to their experience level and are eligible for *discounted rates.

N.B. To handle bats you must have proof of up-to-date rabies immunity, including a recent titer if you received the vaccine more than two years ago. You will also be expected to follow COVID safe handling procedures, including wearing of face masks during bat processing and frequent hand washing and sanitization. If you have not been vaccinated for rabies but still wish to take the workshop, you are welcome to do so and will be able to participate in all activities except extraction of bats from nets and handling during processing. More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/specific_groups/doctors/serology.html

For more information on our organization and facilities please visit our website: www.treesociety.org *To apply for discounted rates, please contact us directly to discuss your qualifications.