Overview
Wildlife Veterinarian/Biologist Jaguar care and Post-Release Monitoring and Primate Behaviour Research in the Bolivian Amazon Jobs in San Buenaventura, La Paz, Bolivia at ONCA Wildlife
Title: Wildlife Veterinarian/Biologist Jaguar care and Post-Release Monitoring and Primate Behaviour Research in the Bolivian Amazon
Company: ONCA Wildlife
Location: San Buenaventura, La Paz, Bolivia
Company Description ONCA Wildlife (Organization for Natives and the Conservation of the Amazon) is a research-focused conservation organization founded in 2012 and based in the Bolivian Amazon. The organization is dedicated to long-term biodiversity protection through science-driven field research, wildlife behavior studies, and active community participation. Grant-funded projects support applied research in ecology, conservation biology, and post-release monitoring, generating evidence for effective conservation strategies in tropical ecosystems. ONCA hosts undergraduate and graduate students, as well as early-career researchers, for field-based research, thesis work, and applied conservation projects in collaboration with academic institutions. A central part of ONCA’s mission is working closely with Indigenous communities, integrating local ecological knowledge with scientific approaches to promote sustainable stewardship of the Amazon.
Role Description This on-site internship role is based in San Buenaventura in the Bolivian Amazon and focuses on wildlife veterinary/biology support for jaguar care, post-release monitoring, and primate behavior research. Day-to-day tasks may include assisting with health assessments, observation, and post-release stages, as well as collecting behavioral and ecological data in the field. The intern will support systematic primate behavior observations, data recording, and habitat assessments, following established research protocols and ethical guidelines. Responsibilities also include maintaining accurate field notes, contributing to data entry and preliminary analysis, and collaborating with local staff, Indigenous community members, and academic partners. The position involves physically demanding fieldwork under tropical conditions, adherence to safety and animal welfare standards, and participation in team meetings and conservation planning discussions.
Qualifications
- Background in veterinary medicine, biology, ecology, wildlife science, or a closely related field, with a strong interest in carnivore and primate conservation.
- Experience or training in wildlife handling, animal health assessment, or clinical observation in a field or sanctuary setting (prior work with large carnivores or primates is an asset).
- Skills in behavioral observation, ecological surveying, and systematic data collection using field protocols, datasheets, and digital tools.
- Ability to work safely and effectively in remote tropical environments, including hiking in challenging terrain, working in variable weather, and following field safety procedures.
- Strong collaborative skills, respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, and willingness to engage with local communities in a culturally sensitive manner.
- Good written and verbal communication skills in English; Spanish proficiency or willingness to learn is highly beneficial.
- Demonstrated reliability, ethical conduct in animal and field research, and a commitment to evidence-based conservation.
- Availability for an extended field stay (multi-week or multi-month) and readiness to adapt to basic living conditions in a remote
