SSRP Abstract

Board 22: Conservation and Education: An Internship With Pelican Harbor Seabird Station

Student Scientist: Catie Hyatt ’22
Research Mentors: Heather Fair (Pelican Harbor Seabird Station) and Ramon Carreno (OWU Department of Biological Sciences)

I interned at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station for three months down in Miami, Florida. There, I was able to gain hands-on experience working at a wildlife station that functions as a clinic, a rehab, and education center.

Wildlife conservation and education are increasingly important as our world changes around us, and humans come into contact with wildlife frequently. Unlike our domesticated furry friends, wildlife animals do not have advocates with them all the time to get them the help they need. I want to work in the wildlife sector of animal science in the future, so I packed up and went to Miami, Florida to work with seabirds and other Florida wildlife for three months. At the clinic I was taught how to identify animals, learned what medications to use and how to determine dosage, draw up and administer subcutaneous fluids, set splits, read x-rays, and other general husbandry for wildlife. I also went on education programs to help education groups of all ages about what Pelican Harbor does, why wildlife is important, and how they can help in conservation every day. Working down at Pelican Harbor gave me invaluable experience into the inner workings of a wildlife clinic, rehabilitation, and education center.