Description

African Lion Safari (ALS) is a private owned zoological institution located near Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.  www.lionsafari.com  A drive-through wildlife park dedicated to the conservation of wildlife species, ALS has in its collection, over 1000 animals from over 100 species of mammals, birds and reptiles on 700 acres. One veterinarian will be responsible for the primary of the collection’s proactive, case based and emergent care on a 24/7 basis. This includes: routine/prophylactic care, cased based medicine, immobilizations, diagnostic testing whether onsite or through local laboratories; and onsite necropsies. The veterinarian has the ability to network with local and global specialist colleagues outside the Safari for case-related consultation, discussion or referral for when advanced therapies or diagnostics are required as well as for conservation activities. Comprehensive records are kept to ensure a quality continuum of care.

Caring for zoo animals and providing the best possible visitor experience takes a whole team and the veterinarian will work collaboratively with zoo personnel on a day-to-day basis, to care for the animals and to provide guidance and advice when needed on all aspects of animal husbandry, management and nutrition. The veterinarian will also take an active role in ALS research and conservation projects.

African Lion Safari is flexible and open to three solutions:
1) An independent contractor with the ability to either create a mobile practice and become accredited for large and small animal mobile by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, or someone who already has said practicing accreditation and mobile veterinary service ability. Guidance regarding the creation of said practice can be provided by the current ALS veterinarian upon request. 

2) A veterinarian who is currently practicing at a small/mixed/large animal clinic to provide part time and emergent veterinary services through their currently employed veterinary practice. 

3) A full time staff member of African Lion Safari. 

Hours

This is a full time position, consisting of ideally 4 days per week in person on site plus on-call 3 days per week; this can be adjusted based on the candidate’s availability. There is potential for additional/vacation coverage from other local veterinarians. 

Benefits

-Free entrance to the African Lion Safari

-Potential use of truck on site that is fully stocked with medical supplies if starting own practice 

-If start before October 31st, shadowing and guidance provided from ALS’s current veterinary services 

Compensation

Available upon request

Qualifications

-Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) including proof of successful NAVLE

-Able to work in Canada

-Able to practice Veterinary Medicine in Ontario 

-One (1) year or more experience working as an exotic veterinarian in a zoo or wildlife park, and/or with multiple externship experience in a zoo or wildlife park preferred

-Must be available for work on nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies 

-Must have a valid driver’s licence and access to reliable personal transportation

-Collaborative and positive approach to veterinary medicine

-Ability to work in all weather conditions including extreme temperatures (cold, wind, heat, humidity) indoors and outdoors to perform tasks

-Ability to lift 50 pounds

-Must provide a Criminal Record Check 

Requirements

Responsibilities:

      Provision of veterinary services 24/7 on site at the African Lion Safari including on call services in the evenings, holidays and weekends. These services to include but not limited to:

o   Care of the African Lion Safari collection including:

      The provision of preventative care (eg hoof trims, vaccinations, fecal monitoring etc.) as required

      The provision of veterinary care and procedures as requested by the African Lion Safari staff

      Sample collection and submission (AHL, IDEXX primarily)

      Basic laboratory monitoring such as routine fecal processing using the Practice’s equipment

      Surgeries and Radiographs (Radiographs either onsite at ALS via a consulting practice in a field setting or at a Clinic of Reference arranged by the successful candidate with support from ALS the Practice’s Clinic of Reference, surgeries either in a field setting at ALS or at the Clinic of Reference for general inhalational anesthesia) and other techniques required for diagnostic work ups

      Necropsies/Post Mortems 

      Immobilizations (remote in the field, within pens and in barns, via blow dart as well as CO2 rifle).

      The provision of emergency services as necessary. Emergency services to include but not limited to procedures conducted either at the African Lion Safari or, at the Practice’s Clinic of Reference such as: emergency stabilization/immobilization, sample collection and submission, surgeries (Either onsite at ALS in a field setting or at the Practice’s Clinic of Reference for general inhalation anesthesia)