The extern will be working with wildlife veterinarians associated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center (WHC) at UC Davis, rotating between CDFW's Wildlife Investigations Lab in Rancho Cordova and the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center in Santa Cruz, with variable time spent at the WHC participating in ongoing field research projects and/or oil spill response. At this time, the extern will likely gain practical experience in wildlife immobilization, examination, and transport with Pacific fisher for one week and bighorn sheep for 2 weeks, conduct gross necropsies on a variety of terrestrial wildlife species (including but emphasizing mountain lion) for one week and marine species for one week, and interact with professors and graduate students conducting wildlife disease investigation and management, research projects at the WHC for one week.
Personnel, facilities, and resources at the CDFW and WHC will be available to the extern, including available library resources, internet access, and necessary materials to conduct activities.
The extern will participate in field activities of the CDFW, which may entail long hours and weekend work during captures. Laboratory activities and research time will most likely be from 0800 - 1700 Mon - Fri. The extern will work with a variety of wildlife veterinarians for the entirety of the externship.
The extern will be responsible for all expenses and for obtaining housing while at the WIL and WHC; free housing is available in Santa Cruz. You will also be responsible for your own transportation. Dr. Ziccardi will assist in identifying possibl;e rooms that can be rented with current UCD veterinary students if requested.