Sandfly Bay is one of the Otago Peninsula’s most popular destinations, featuring Yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho, sea lions/pakake and other wildlife. In the evenings volunteers will educate visitors about the penguins and how to behave around wildlife, to ensure impacts on wildlife are kept to a minimum.
As a Wildlife Viewing Ranger you will:
- make your own way to Sandfly Bay each evening, which is a 20-minute drive from Dunedin.
- encourage visitors to view the penguins and other wildlife from the viewing hide or track to ensure disturbance is kept to a minimum.
- educate visitors about the needs of the penguins and wildlife and how to behave around them.
Initial training is provided, and new/inexperienced volunteers work in pairs.
Benefits of volunteering:
- spend time outdoors at a beautiful and wild beach
- enjoy watching the penguins and other wildlife in the bay
- experience visitors joy and excitement to see the penguins
- have some great discussions about wildlife with visitors from all around the world
- know you are making a difference by educating visitors and protecting our wildlife.
Requirements
- An interest in wildlife and conservation
- Ability to communicate well with the public.
- Medium fitness level. Beach access is via a steep sand dune.
- Own transport as you need to make your own way to Sandfly Bay each evening, which is a 20-minute drive from Dunedin (it may be possible to share transport with other volunteers).
Time commitment
- Casual evenings (approximately 5-8 pm) from mid-October to mid-April.
- Must commit to at least one evening per month during this period.
- Initial training is provided.
Getting started
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Volunteer South's office is closed from Friday 20th December until Monday January 6th. Many organisations listing roles online will also be taking a break. During this time your requests to connect will go through, however there may be some delay in you hearing from the organisations you select. Please be patient and if you have not heard back from them by mid January email them directly and give them a nudge. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season and summer.
Enquire about this role: