• What do we offer?

We offer five subject areas:

  • Falcon breeding
  • Falcon Conservation fieldwork
  • Post and undergraduate degree projects
  • The Bevis Centre

1. ‘Raptor Aviculture’ Internships at International Wildlife Consultants


Are you interested in falconry or raptors?

Are you thinking of pursuing a career working with animals?

International Wildlife Consultants (UK) Ltd. is one of the oldest established falcon breeding facilities in Europe; having bred falcons since 1975 and exporting to the Middle East since 1987. IWC (UK) was the first falcon facility in the UK to qualify as a CITES registered breeder and every year we breed over 200 falcons at our facility in Wales.  

During the breeding season we offer a number of seasonal aviculture internship opportunities.  This is a unique chance to participate in and get experience in falcon breeding and captive falcon management. These internships at International Wildlife Consultants are available from April to September every year.

Aviculture interns work under the supervision of professional aviculturalists at the falcon breeding facility during our busy breeding season.   From April onwards we are hatching and rearing chicks, from mid-June onwards young birds are being placed in hack pens and from mid-July onwards birds are being caught form the pens, examined and exported to overseas clients.   

Activities that interns are involved with include:  food preparation; feeding young falcon chicks; catching and handling birds being moved between pens; maintaining facility biosecurity; making and building equipment such as perches; preparing transport boxes; making falconry equipment, fitting tail guards and wing guards to falcons being exported; observing/assisting with physical and health examinations; and occasionally some farm work.   There may be some birds that need handling and manning.   

The intern will be provided with accommodation and a weekly sum of money to cover food costs, toiletries etc.  Travel arrangements and health insurance are the responsibility of the interns.  The IWC facility is located in the beautiful countryside of Carmarthenshire and is close to the Preseli mountains.  The internationally renowned sea bird colony on the island of Skomer and the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park is close by for interns with a taste for adventure.  The requirements for an internship are:   

  • Good English. 
  • Background knowledge of falconry.
  • Ability to work hard and to do physically demanding work.
  • Competence working with and around animals.
  • Independence.
  • Valid Driving Licence

Training: We prefer interns to spend a minimum of 6 months at our facility to cover the breeding season right through to shipments. Those who complete the 6 months will receive a complimentary complete set of the Bird of Prey Management Series DVDs .  Former interns have enrolled themselves on the Fundamentals of Aviculture course run by the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA)  (http://www.afabirds.org/foa_intro.shtml).  IWC is a member of  AFA and IWC interns will receive a discount on the registration costs.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a keen interest and commitment to falconry and aviculture. You can find more information by visiting our homepage at:

For further information contact:

Aviculture Department
International Wildlife Consultants
PO Box 19
Carmarthen
Dyfed
Wales
United Kingdom
SA33 5YL


2. Falcon Conservation fieldwork

  • Where: Mongolia or other Asian countries.
  • When: April – August, usually 2-4 months.
  • How many places: 6-7
  • Funding: We provide basic funding and expenses in most cases, flight tickets and visas.
  • Accommodation: Usually in tents or gers, often travelling.
  • Supervisor: Dr Andrew Dixon, Local biologists and team leaders in Mongolia.

Nature of work: Carrying out surveys and monitoring of wild falcon populations, artificial nest projects, radio and satellite tracking, health monitoring. Application: Apply by November - Contact  falco@falcons.co.uk


3. Post and undergraduate degree projects

  • Where: On any of our projects.
  • When: At any time.
  • How many places: Several
  • Funding: We may have all or part funding, but usually you will bring your own.
  • Accommodation: Provided during fieldwork, a workstation provided at IWC Head Office in Wales.
  • Supervisor: Dr Nick Fox (various), Dr Andrew Dixon (Falcon Research), Dr Tom Bailey (Veterinary Science).

Nature of work: For a PhD you will need to register at an appropriate university and agree a topic. Currently we have one PhD student from Leicester University working on Sakers in Mongolia and two MSc student in Mongolia. We frequently have veterinary or honours students doing projects or work experience here. We do not carry dedicated budget for degree projects, but if the topic is part of our ongoing research plan, then we can use some of that budget.

Application: Apply at any time to office@falcons.co.uk
 
4. The Bevis Centre.
Please check out this section of the website for current openings and developments. Contact Jo Oliver jo@falcons.co.uk .
 
5. The International Festival of Falconry.
For volunteers for the International Festival of Falconry contact Jevgeni Shergalin jevgeni@falcons.co.uk .
 

Jobs and Interns