Attention Biology Majors!
Are you interested in conservation/wildlife biology? Did you know that most State and Federal employment for these kinds of careers require practical experience within a conservation/wildlife biology setting?
Read on for a GREAT opportunity to get experience you need to give you that edge in looking for a conservation/wildlife biology career after you finish here at IU!
What: Volunteer Intern for Lead Fragmentation Study Time Commitment: roughly 15 hours per week, including an overnight stay at Purdue (hotel fee is covered)
Duration: Once per week, June through July.
Contact Person: Gary Langell, Private Lands Coordinator, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 812-334-1139
Details:
The DNR is conducting a Lead Fragmentation Study in order to determine whether or not fragments from lead bullets contaminates deer meat. Given that many Indiana families supplement their diet with deer, and that many farmers are turning to deer hunts in order to control deer overpopulation and the associated crop damage, this study has potential ramifications for consumer health, the hunting industry, and wildlife (specifically deer) population management. A volunteer intern is needed to help transport deer to Purdue, where the deer will be x-rayed and undergo further testing. The intern will stay the night at Purdue, and return the next day. Total time is anticipated to be 15 hours (an afternoon, all night, the drive back the next day).
Volunteer Duties:
The volunteer is not expected to help collect the deer. Instead, the volunteer will have to help load the deer in and out of the truck (heavy lifting involved), and accompany the state wildlife biologist to Purdue to deliver the deer to the Purdue team. The volunteer will also field dress the deer. The volunteer will stay the night in a motel, and then accompany the state biologist back to Bloomington. Motel and meals associated with the trip will be paid for by the Department of Natural Resources. The study will run through June and July. Total weekly commitment will be around 15 hours.
Because this is an unpaid internship, students may be eligible to claim BIOL L490: Independent Study credit.
Please note that this is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a wildlife/conservation setting, and governmental agencies give hiring priority to those who have relevant experience. Especially for our Biology majors whose backgrounds include hunting, this would be a very good experience.
If you’re interested, please contact Gary Langell (the last name is pronounced lanJELL, with the accent on the last syllable) directly. His number is 812-334-1139.
