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Manatee Photo-identification Internships

FWRI’s manatee photo-identification research focuses on the long-term monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The primary goal of our program is to document individual manatees.

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The Manatee Photo-identification program is based in St. Petersburg at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). FWRI is the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a state agency of Florida.

FWRI’s manatee photo-identification research focuses on the long-term monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The primary goal of our program is to document individual manatees. These capture histories are used to estimate annual adult survival rates and to model population dynamics for state and federal assessments of Florida manatee status and recovery. Photo-identification data also provide insight regarding manatee movements, site fidelity, habitat use, behavior, intra- and inter-specific associations, and reproductive parameters such as calving intervals and length of calf dependency.

Interns will primarily assist staff members with photographing manatees and collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites around Tampa Bay. Interns will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks such as downloading images, database entry, and matching images to known animals. Interns often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Most field work is land-based, however during the winter session opportunities are available to assist with boat-based manatee photo-identification. Other responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, data entry, special projects, and outreach activities. This internship provides a great opportunity to gain valuable field and lab experience at a government agency.

Five positions are available each year: two positions in the winter (December-March), one position in the spring (March-May), one position in the summer (June-August), and one position in the fall (September-November). Start and end dates are flexible. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from FWRI. Positions are open until filled.

Qualifications:

• Basic computer proficiency; Microsoft Access literacy preferred;
  
• Working knowledge of SLR digital cameras, filters, and lenses preferred, but not required;
  
• The ability to lift approximately 50 pounds of equipment;
  
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License;
  
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods;
  
• A willingness to spend a minimum of three months working four days per week with our program.

Application Process:
Please submit your cover letter, resume, college transcripts (unofficial are sufficient), and the contact information for three references via hard copy to FWRI’s Intern Coordinator, Dr. William Arnold, at the address listed below. Alternatively, application materials may be submitted via e-mail to ManateeInterns@MyFWC.com. Please indicate in your cover letter the position for which you are applying and the dates you are available.

Dr. William S. Arnold—Internship Coordinator 
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020

Glossary:

Population dynamics:The study of marginal and long-term changes in the number, individual weights, and age composition of individual manatees in one or several populations, and biological and environmental processes, or factors, influencing those changes.
Site fidelity: The tendency for an animal to return to the same location year after year.
Intra-specific associations: Associations between manatees.
Inter-specific associations:Associations of manatees with other species.
Reproductive parameters: Reproductive rates and characteristics of the population.
Calving interval: How often a female gives birth to a calf.
Length of calf dependency: How long a calf remains with its mother.