VIE Veterinarian at Parc de la Lékédi - M/F

Comilog, a leading producer of manganese ore, is a Gabonese company and a subsidiary of the Eramet Group. Specialized in the extraction and processing of manganese ore, Comilog is today the world’s number one producer.

Our ambition is to maintain and strengthen this global leadership. Our teams are committed to a sustainable transformation, integrating the best practices in mining and metallurgy. Our ability to engage in transparent dialogue and co-construction, based on an ethical model, with host communities and local authorities, ensures profitable operations for all stakeholders.

Volontariat International Entreprise is a civic service set up by the French government.

Reminder of VIE eligibility conditions required by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

You can be a volunteer if you meet the following 5 conditions:

• Have applied on the Business France website (Mon V.I) between the age of 18 and 28 (no later than the day before the 28th birthday)
• Be between 18 and 28 years of age on the date of registration. Departure on assignment must take place no later than the 29th birthday. No exceptions will be granted beyond this date.
• Be French or a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) country
• Comply with national service obligations (Journée de défense et de citoyenneté)
• Enjoy your full civil rights (voting rights and clean criminal record)
• Meet the physical fitness requirements for people carrying out similar activities in the host organization

Depending on your destination country, you may be required to demonstrate specific skills (e.g. language skills, professional experience).

Find out more:

Volontariat international en entreprise (VIE) | Service-Public.fr

International volunteering - how does it work?

Context

Biodiversity preservation, particularly around its industrial sites, is a major challenge for the Eramet Group, which has included it as one of the priority pillars of its CSR roadmap. Within its subsidiary COMILOG in Gabon, the Lékédi Biodiversity Foundation was created in 2021 to contribute to Gabon’s national biodiversity protection objectives.

The Lékédi Park is a private park in Gabon that hosts a sanctuary accredited by the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA). As such, the Park rescues, rehabilitates, and releases animals that are victims of illegal wildlife trafficking.

Currently, the Park cares for 37 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes), 4 western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), 20 red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus), 1 African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), among others, and monitors daily 2 groups of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) (nearly 350 individuals) released into the park. Other species frequently received at the sanctuary include pangolins, various birds, forest buffalos, etc.

The Lékédi Park has also released several western lowland gorillas into the Batéké Plateaux National Park, along with many other animals (mandrills, guenons, pangolins, reptiles, birds, etc.).

• Location: Bakoumba, Gabon
• Duration: 24 months
• Expected Start Date: As soon as possible, depending on administrative procedures

Main Missions

• Ensure the safety of the caretaker team, particularly regarding zoonotic risks.
• Participate in the daily monitoring of sanctuary animals with the caretakers (health status, nutrition, growth monitoring, enrichment, etc.).
• Oversee enclosure maintenance.
• Manage stocks of food and medicines.
• Maintain the laboratory, surgery room, and veterinary equipment (analyzers, microscopes, darting equipment, etc.).
• Monitor the health of wild animals living in the Park.
• Keep medical records.
• Take part in ongoing research protocols within the Park.
• Work in partnership with the Park’s associated institutions (Mandrillus Project, Aspinall Foundation, Gorilla Protection Project, CIRMF, etc.).
• Possibly intervene at the Comilog/Setrag mining site in case of injured animals.

Profile

• Holder of a Master’s degree (M2) in veterinary medicine, with 1 to 2 years of experience in wildlife, preferably African species.
• Proficient in minor surgery techniques, anesthesia, ultrasound, and biochemical analyses.
• Able to demonstrate patience and transparency in communication.
• Experienced in multicultural environments.
• Willing to actively participate in Park life.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fluent in French and English.
• Experience with primates and working in remote/isolated locations is a plus.

With operations on five continents and employees from more than 70 different countries, Eramet is an inherently diverse group.  We are convinced that this diversity of talents and skills is an asset and we are actively engaged in recruiting the talented people who will be crucial to our success in the future, regardless of their gender, disability, age, social or cultural origin and beliefs. We are committed to offering all employees the support and development opportunities they need throughout their careers.