APPLICATIONS OPEN! 2020 2nd Australian Wildlife Conservation Training Course (Applied)
2020/01/21
2020 2nd Australian Wildlife Conservation Training Course (Applied)
Conducted by the Australia-Japan Wildlife Conservation and Education Foundation (AJWCEF)
When: 21st March (Sat.) － 30th March (Mon.), 2020 (10 days)
Number of Participants: 15 (minimum 8)（AJWCEF members will be given priority. Application for membership can be made at the same time as training course applications, in which case priority will apply.)
Second-round Application Period: 13 December (Fri) – 10 February 2020 (Mon)
Applications will close when maximum participant numbers are reached.
Course Overview
The Applied Wildlife Conservation Training Course is designed for people who have completed our basic training course, or who have a similar level of knowledge. It combines elements from the environmental protection content of the advanced-level training courses and from the marine environmental content from the Marine Environmental Protection Courses we have conducted previously to approach the issues facing Australian wildlife from the perspectives of both land and marine environments, providing the opportunity for participants to gain wide-ranging practical knowledge and skills.
For the marine component, we collaborate with The University of Queensland, one of Australia’s most prestigious universities, to investigate the marine environment and animal conservation while based at the Moreton Bay Research Station located on North Stradbroke Island, one of the world’s largest sand islands, just offshore from Brisbane in Moreton Bay.
Part of the land component will be done at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you will study the characteristics and conservation status of Australia’s unique wildlife. You will also learn about the importance of enrichment and preventive medicine with a focus on the zoo animals.
(* The Marine Wildlife Conservation Training Course has been incorporated into this training course)
Applications will close once maximum numbers have been reached. In principle, AJWCEF members will receive priority; there is also a discount for members. Application for membership can be made at the same time as application for training courses. In this case, applicants are treated as members for the purpose of training course applications. Please indicate on your training course application form if you wish to apply for AJWCEF membership at the same time as applying for the course. Although payment for annual membership is invoiced together with the training course fee, you only need to pay the difference between the annual membership fee and the members’ discount; that is, in the case of student membership, you will be invoiced for the same amount as the training course alone. For adult membership, the difference between the membership fee and the members’ discount will be added to the training course fee.
*Please refer to the Membership and Donations page.
*Please ensure you read the Training Course Overview when applying to participate in a training course.
Course Commencement and Conclusion
This course commences and concludes on location at the Gold Coast. Participants are to meet at 8 a.m. on 21 March (Saturday) at the arrival lobby of the Gold Coast Airport, Coolangatta, for transfer to accommodation. An AJWCEF staff member will be there holding a sign to meet you at the airport.
We will also deliver you to the Gold Coast Airport early in the morning of 30 March in time to take Jetstar flight JQ11 back to Japan. Please advise us if you wish to extend your stay or do not require a transfer to the airport for your return journey.
* The course starts and finishes on location at the Gold Coast, so participants are free to spend time there before or after the course if they choose.
* If you require assistance with purchasing flights and arranging insurance, please contact the AJWCEF Head Office.
Eligibility
People who have completed the AJWCEF Introductory training course or who have a similar level of knowledge.
* Places in the course will be allocated in order of receipt of applications. Applications will close when maximum participant numbers have been reached.
Facilities for Practical Training and Observational Visits
1. University of Queensland Moreton Bay Research Station
2. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife Hospital (National Trust Facility)
3. Kayaking on Currumbin River
4. Birds Queensland & Birdlife Southern Queensland
Course Content
1. Comparative anatomy of Australian wildlife (marsupials, monotremes)
2. Preventive medicine for zoo animals (parasites, vaccines, etc.)
3. Human-wildlife co-existence (dingoes as an example)
4. Protection, classification and identification of Australian birds
5. Significant zoonotic diseases in Australia
6. Biology of dolphins, whales and dugongs
7. Turtles and marine rubbish in Moreton Bay
8. Management of marine parks, etc.
* Course content may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
* Japanese interpretation of content will be provided where necessary.
Practical Training
1. Investigation of problematic behaviour by zoo animals
2. Rehabilitation of wildlife (example of oil-covered birds)
3. Preparation to return rehabilitated animals to the wild
4. Wildlife nutrition (incl. feeding echidnas)
5. Comparative anatomy (koalas and other animals)
6. Wildlife capture methods (blow-guns, etc.)
7. Preventive medicine for zoo animals (parasites, vaccines, etc.)
8. Wildlife and ecological survey of Currumbin River by kayak
9. Investigation of the animals of the Moreton Bay mudflats
10. Catch marine life using seine nets and identification of fish by morphology
11. Survey of marine rubbish
12. Marine animal survey (dolphins, turtles, rays)
13. Plankton identification
14. Bird watching (classification, identification), etc.
*Course content, practical training and observational visits may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
* Japanese interpretation of content will be provided where necessary.
Course Itinerary (provisional)
・2020 ２nd Training Course applied Timetable.pdf
Flight Reservations
Because this tour commences with participants meeting at the Gold Coast Airport, participants will need to make their own flight arrangements. In general, the most convenient and cost-effective way is to fly with Jetstar directly from Narita to the Gold Coast, or from Kansai Airport via Narita to the Gold Coast. Please note, however, in order to be at the Gold Coast on the morning of 21 March, participants will need to book flights that depart no later than the evening of 20 March.
Information is available on Jetstar’s home page (http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/home) and bookings can be easily made in 10-15 minutes by following the instructions. Although you are not required to enter a passport number at this time, you will need to have a credit card ready to make the payment. If you require further assistance, please contact the AJWCEF Head Office by email: training@ajwcef.org.
We are also able to recommend a reliable travel agent should you require assistance with flight and insurance arrangements, as well as arrangements for additional travel and accommodation (AJWCEF is a not-for-profit organisation, not a travel agent). AJWCEF is able to provide contact details for Huckleberry Australia (info@huckle-berry.com.au). This travel agent is based in Brisbane and has many Japanese staff members to help you make your arrangements. Please bear in mind, however, that booking through a travel agent will add to the cost compared with making arrangements yourself.
Accommodation and Meals
●Isle of Pams Resort/Forest Lodge Apartments
Depending on the ratio of male to female participants, accommodation may be twin share (2 people) or a suite room (up to 5 people). Apartments have a fully equipped kitchen (refrigerator, microwave oven, oven, crockery, etc.) so you can choose whether to self-cater for yourself or as a group, or dine out. Any groceries required for self-catering are not included in course fees, but based on the current cost of food in Australia $200-$250 should be sufficient for one person for 10 days. If required, an AJWCEF staff member will accompany participants to the nearby shopping centre. AJWCEF provides a rice cooker to each group so you can cook rice during your stay. Hair dryers are also available for use.
●Moreton Bay Research Station
Depending on the ratio of male to female participants, accommodation may be twin share (2 people) or a quad room (up to 4 people).
* The following meals are included in the training course participation fee:
Day 1: Welcome brunch
Day 5: Lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
Days 6 & 7: Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
Day 8: Breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner
All other meals are at participants’ own expense (please refer to the itinerary).
Isle of Palms Resort ( http://www.isleofpalms.com.au/ )
Moreton Bay Research Station: (http://www.uq.edu.au/moreton-bay-research-station/accommodation)
Brisbane： Forest Lodge Apartments ( http://www.forestlodge1.com.au/ )
* Accommodation may be changed in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Health & Vaccinations
Please advise us of any health issues, allergies, etc., when applying to participate in the training course. Please also ensure that tetanus vaccinations are up to date (within the last ten years), or arrange vaccination no later than two weeks prior to commencement of the course.
Insurance
Participants must take out appropriate insurance (to cover illness, injury, hospitalization, theft, etc.) prior to commencement of the training course. The AJWCEF takes no responsibility for accidents or losses during free time or those caused by negligence of the person in question. Participants will be asked to provide copies of insurance documents at the commencement of the course.
Training Course Fee
The cost of the training course is A$3,350, or A$3,300 after the A$50 member discount is applied. Application for membership can be made with course application, in which case, both priority application and the discount will apply. The fee includes seminar fees, practical training sessions, learning materials, interpretation costs, facility usage fees, accommodation, airport pick-up and return, local transport costs (excluding free time), and welcome and farewell parties. Airfares, travel insurance, meals/groceries and discretionary spending money for free time are not included.
* Part of the proceeds of the training course will be donated to activities for the conservation of Australian wildlife.
Applications
Those wishing to apply to participate should complete the application form and send to the email address below. Second-round applications close on 10 February 2020 (Monday) and places allocated in order of receipt of application. Applications will close when maximum participant numbers have been reached. Successful applicants will be sent fee details (invoice) and payment instructions to the email address you provide on your application form. Please make payment as per instructions within 10 days of receipt of the invoice.
Training Course Application Form (please choose one format)
Please send your application form as an attachment or in the body of the email to the Australia-Japan Wildlife Conservation and Education Foundation Head Office at
training@ajwcef.org
* Please send any enquiries you may have to the same email address (in Japanese or English).
* We will contact you predominantly via email, and will send important documents as attached files. If your email address is linked to a mobile phone account there may be instances when large files will be automatically rejected. As such, please ensure you provide us with an email address which is capable of receiving larger attached files.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation after application will incur the following penalties (calculated from the day prior to the course commencement date).
30 days to 7 days prior to commencement 30%
6 days to 1 day prior to commencement 60%
Commencement day or later 100%