Canada’s New Noah –  Details & Application Process

A Training and Field Experience Program in the Conservation of Endangered Species for Canadian Scientists

Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) envisions a land where Canada’s wildlife is bountiful and diverse and thrives without risk of extinction.

We are Canada’s last defence for endangered species.

WPC exists to save wildlife species at risk from extinction in Canada. We do this by performing hands-on work with species requiring direct intervention to recover and providing opportunities for Canadian conservation scientists to expand their experience working with wildlife species at risk.

Since 1988, Wildlife Preservation Canada has selected one post-secondary student or equivalent from across Canada to become our next Canada’s New Noah. The full experience includes travel, living, and training expenses for the New Noah to participate in the Durrell Endangered Species Management Graduate Certificate (DESMAN) February to May, 2025 consisting of 12 weeks of intensive theory, at the Durrell Conservation Academy on the island of Jersey in the U.K. This is followed by 6 months of practical experience with species and habitat recovery teams saving species on the island of Mauritius and its offshore islands. In partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, this specialized training program is designed to provide New Noahs with the field experience and species and human resource management skills needed to effectively run endangered species conservation projects.

Structure

Durrell Endangered Species Management Graduate Certificate (DESMAN)

The 12-week DESMAN course is designed to equip conservation professionals with a complete range of skills to maximise their effectiveness at managing or participating in conservation projects. Alongside an international group of peers, you will learn the latest theory and practice of endangered species recovery, and gain a wide variety of skills in facilitation, management, and leadership.

The program takes place on the island of Jersey at the Durrell Conservation Academy.  The course features intensive taught modules by international experts, interspersed with practical work, day-long workshops and personal study and research. You will be encouraged to develop pilot research projects on a topic of relevance to wildlife conservation, and will receive coaching on skills such as writing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals, preparing conference posters, etc. You will also get the opportunity to work with Durrell’s animal and veterinary departments at the Jersey Zoo, learning practical aspects of care and maintenance of animals in a captive environment.

Topics in the course include:

• biodiversity and drivers of species decline
• conservation planning and priority setting
• the role of zoos and captive breeding
• principles of animal husbandry
• conservation medicine and wildlife disease
• small population biology and genetics
• in-situ conservation techniques
• management and leadership skills
• facilitation and team skills
• GIS for conservation managers
• captive and field research skills
• education and community conservation
• fundraising and financial management

Immersive Practical Field Experience

Following the DESMAN course, you will travel to the island of Mauritius, once the home of the ill-fated Dodo. Here, work is being conducted on some of the zoological world’s most ambitious species recovery programs.  In partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (mauritian-wildlife.org) (MWF), you will join field teams to develop a wide variety of practical skills ranging from animal handling and taking morphometric measurements, supplementary feeding techniques, tree climbing, nest monitoring, and rare plant germination techniques, among others. MWF projects cover a diversity of plant and animal species, and placements will depend on your skills, project needs, and other factors – every New Noah’s experience is unique!

What does it take to become one of Canada’s New Noahs?

• Canadian Citizen
• Completion of biology, zoology, veterinary or related studies at the post-secondary level
• A passionate interest and previous experience in wildlife conservation
• Previous practical experience with animals in a zoological, research and/or field environment, particularly with species at risk
• Demonstrated ability to conduct field work in remote and rustic conditions
• Ability to work closely with others as part of a team
• Ability to work independently when necessary with a minimum of direction
• Ability to be flexible and open-minded, and a willingness to try one’s hand at almost anything ranging from the dirty and mundane to the prestige jobs
• Ability to laugh at oneself, even while struggling to save the world
• Excellent health and a love of hiking and the outdoors
• Good communication skills