Internship at Areena
Posted on: October 1, 2021, in Adventure & Fun
I would like to introduce Matthew, our nature conservation student doing his 12 month practical internship at Areena Riverside Resort.
For six months so far Matthew has been learning the ropes at Areena. Our student intern for 2021, is gaining a great deal of practical experience from our team on a daily basis. You will find Matthew guiding activities on weekends, with a natural flare for adventure. Abby the giraffe loves Matthew too, from all the interactions Matthew has taken guests on.
Studying for a higher certificate in Nature Conservation at NMMU, he is spending his 3rd year with us, doing his 12 month practical. Having spent a week internship already at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. He took part in feeding game, assisting the vets and taking part in game drives, Matthew has an idea of what Nature Conservation day to day consists of.
Learning a great deal at Kariega, where he experience their anti-poaching programme as well as assisted with telemetries. Let me educate you about telemetry, it is best described as the ‘science of shedding light on the movements and behaviour of animals in relation to their environment or habitat’.
Reptiles as pets?
Matthew calls bearded dragons his pets, which is not what I would classify as a pet. ‘Rum and Raison’ his current reptilian pets. These two dragons ride on the dashboard of his vehicle accompany him on most adventures. Successfully breeding three clutches of baby bearded dragons much to his delight. Not only do bearded dragons interest Matthew, but corn snakes do as well, of which he also has three.
Personally I don’t understand the reptile as a pet idea, preferring to cuddle with a dog or a fluffy something. Even more so when I learn that a cute little mouse is the preferred diet of a corn snake.
We are teaching Matthew the finer skills of administration. As he fulfils this requirement of his internship at Areena, filling, customer care, and reservations are his new skills. Matthew is counting the days to be let out of the office and back into the outdoors. Learning to drive a front end loader, JCB and doing game counts, being more to Matthews liking.