Internship Opportunities at WBS

The World Bird Sanctuary provides internship opportunities for applicants over the age of 18. 

This program runs year round, and can offer unique work experience to its applicants, along with possibly receiving college credit if you are enrolled at a college.  Interns are given the chance to work full time in all different areas of the sanctuary including the animal hospital, propagation department, and education department and with our various field studies teams when they are active.

Interns are involved in all aspects of daily life at the World Bird Sanctuary.  Responsibilities include managing the resident animals at the sanctuary, husbandry and maintenance of the facilities, field study work, wildlife rehabilitation, and more!

Through working in all different areas of the sanctuary, interns are given the opportunity to discover which aspects fit their career goals best.  This can be helpful when choosing a career in which you work with animals.  Some people may find that they enjoy working in the animal hospital, helping to nurse sick and injured birds back to health.  Others may find that they prefer working in education, presenting programs for the public.  This internship opportunity gives interns the chance to find out what they are passionate about.

A WBS intern about to release this rehabilitated Red-tailed Hawk back to the wild. (photo: Paige Davis)

While working side by side with WBS staff, interns are taught numerous important skills for working with birds (and other species).  For example, interns will learn how to prepare diets for all of the animals they care for.  The World Bird Sanctuary is home to over 200 animals, and each animal needs care on a daily basis.  Interns will get hands on experience working with many of these species, from eagles to snakes.  They will also get the chance to help present educational bird and other animal programs for the public!  Flying live birds over an audience is a unique experience opportunity at WBS.

Bald eagles are one of many species that interns get to work with here at the sanctuary. (photo: Paige Davis)

For receiving college credits for your internship, you must speak with your college advisor about the internship to make sure credits can be received.  If you are thinking about a career in the field of wildlife, an internship at the World Bird Sanctuary is a great way to gain experience and see what the job is really like.  Not only will you get hands on experience with numerous different species, but you will also find out what working in each area of the sanctuary is like.  It is a unique opportunity to get firsthand experience with rare species from all across the globe.

For more information or an application form, click here.

Submitted by Paige Davis, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Stacey Schaeffer

We have many volunteers at World Bird Sanctuary.  Many specialize in one area. For example the office, at the Visitor’s Center, the Library, or our “Tuesday Crew” maintenance group that work on Tuesdays.

One such specialized volunteer gets called in the middle of the night, early in the morning, and while she is on the beach on vacation.  This volunteer is our veterinarian, Dr. Stacey Schaeffer, from the St. Louis Hills Veterinary Clinic.  Dr. Stacey does rounds every week, treating sick and injured birds at our wildlife hospital, as well as seeing to any of our permanent residents that need attention.  In addition, with her husband Dr. Erik Siebel-Spath, and her father, Dr. Robert Schaeffer, they all will treat birds at their clinic for surgeries, acupuncture and other treatments.

Dr. Stacey Schaeffer, DVM and Joe Hoffmann, Sanctuary Manager,examine a Red-tailed Hawk with a toe injury.

At World Bird Sanctuary we consider ourselves very lucky to not only have a dedicated veterinarian working with us, but all the clinic staff, that bring a holistic approach to wildlife rehabilitation and the treatment of our birds.  Dr. Stacey prescribes western medicines and treatments, as well as herbal remedies, acupuncture and more, drawing on generations of experience and knowledge from her family-run practice.

Joe Hoffman, Dr. Shannon Broyles, DVM and Dr. Stacey Schaeffer, DVM

examine an injured Turkey Vulture during morning 'rounds'

 For example, Dr. Stacey has introduced herbs to birds at the wildlife hospital that can slow down, and in some cases stop internal bleeding, with minimal interference to the patient.  When 98% of all hospital cases are collision victims, and many of those have internal bleeding, this is an amazing addition to our arsenal of bird medications.  Under Dr. Stacey’s direction, we also use a balm made of Chinese herbs to help wounds heal more quickly.

Roger Holloway (WBS) and Dr. Schaeffer examine an emergency case - a Red-tailed Hawk shot with a bow arrow.  Dr. Schaeffer's quick response and expertise saved this hawk, which was eventually successfully returned to the wild. 

The most helpful thing that Dr. Stacey brings to save these beautiful birds is her compassion.  She always cares, 24/7.  She comes by it naturally – it runs in the family.  Dr. Stacey’s mother and father recently rescued a pelican while on vacation in Florida in February!  I just hope I don’t have to bother her when she’s on the beach on her vacation again this year.

Submitted by Joe Hoffmann, Sanctuary Manager