Exotic Animal Internship Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide
For individuals passionate about animals and seeking to make a tangible difference in their lives, internships offer invaluable opportunities to gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and network with professionals in the field. This article explores a variety of exotic animal internship opportunities, ranging from animal welfare advocacy to direct animal care and research, providing a starting point for aspiring animal advocates and professionals.
Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Internships
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) offers paid summer, fall, and spring internships to students and recent graduates committed to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. AWI's mission is to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Internships can be remote or at AWI's DC offices.
Eligibility:
- Enrolled at an accredited institution for higher learning or a recent graduate (one year or less following graduation).
- Must be a US citizen or authorized to work in the United States.
Program Areas:
AWI offers internships in many of its program areas, catering to individuals with a variety of skills, interests, and educational backgrounds. Interns gain real-world experience in advancing policy on behalf of animals.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities vary depending on the program area, but often include:
- Researching and drafting factual, scientific, or legal analyses.
- Writing administrative comments in response to government rulemaking proposals.
- Contributing to litigation efforts.
- Conducting research and analysis for technical reports.
- Creating communications strategies.
- Promoting pertinent legislation alongside AWI staff.
Compensation:
Based on the number of weeks and number of hours per week, the successful applicant will be offered a stipend for their internship that will be paid in biweekly increments. For instance, a full-time summer intern (averaging 35 hours per week) will receive a stipend of $7,000 for a 10-week internship (i.e., $700 a week), paid biweekly.
Read also: Choosing a Veterinary Science Degree
Testimonials:
One former intern shared, "The internship with the Animal Welfare Institute gave me a great opportunity to learn about the work in the professional animal welfare world and deepen my understanding on animal welfare issues… I got familiar with related policies and how AWI works with policymakers… I also had the opportunity to attend hearings on the Hill and participate in other events of interest."
Another intern stated, "AWI's Terrestrial Wildlife Law and Policy internship program was engaging, exciting, and reassuring. It provided me with real-world knowledge necessary for a successful career in wildlife law… AWI's internship helped me gain insight into the profession, taught me the essential qualities necessary to succeed in the field, allowed me to build professional connections, and gave me the flexibility to explore my own interests… It would be a mistake for anyone interested in wildlife policy and law to not apply to this internship."
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) Animal Care Internship
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) is committed to rescuing big cats in the United States from abuse, neglect, or abandonment situations. The refuge provides a lifelong home and sanctuary for all rescued animals, including state-of-the-art veterinary care and optimal animal welfare.
Internship Program:
TCWR's internship program offers young professionals invaluable hands-on experience in animal care and sanctuary operations. Interns contribute directly to the animals’ well-being while gaining insight into the broader issues of wildlife captivity.
Job Description:
TCWR is seeking a full-time, 6-month Animal Care Intern. The refuge is a non-profit facility for exotic cats, bears, and other exotic animals. Work is often physically demanding. Applicants must be self-motivated, with a high desire to provide the best care available to animals. Applicants must also be observant and able to keep detailed records. The ability to work in a team environment or independently is important.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to MU Animal Clinic
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the daily care of tigers, lions, cougars, black bears, a grizzly bear, a Russian brown bear, leopards, African servals, bobcats, and a hyena.
- Responsible for greeting customers and giving guided tours throughout the facility.
- Responsible for maintaining animal and customer safety through daily exhibit checks.
- Maintain food quality and hygiene standards of produce and meat. Prepare food with consideration to specific dietary needs and monitor every animal’s intake. Feed all animals and observe quantities of waste for future diet recommendations.
- Maintain daily records of animal defecation and any loss of appetite to identify any abnormal behavior and signs of illness. Administer daily medications.
- Assist in relocating cats to more appropriate enclosures.
- Help design and construct ½ - 1-acre enclosures.
Marine Animal Internship Opportunities
A variety of internships are available at marine animal facilities, offering experiences ranging from animal care and training to education and research.
Alaska Sea Life Center
The Alaska Sea Life Center sponsors a variety of internships for college students or graduates. A large array of experiences is available. Duties can include anything from assisting staff with animal husbandry in an aquarium, avian or marine mammal setting to participating in research projects through the education department. Interns are required to participate in a variety of areas.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
A large variety of internships is available at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. These full time internships are available to full time college students, part time college students, or college graduates within 12 months of course completion. The opportunities include HR and Volunteer Management, Marketing and Advertising, Aquatics and Water Quality, Education, Guest Relations, Hospitality, Marine Mammal Training, Non-Profit Management, Sea Turtle Nesting, Sea Turtle Rehabilitation, Standing Team, Virtual Merchandiser, and Aquarist.
Marine Mammal Training Internship:
The Marine Mammal Training internship includes an emphasis on Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and North American River Otters. Interns will get the opportunity to work with animals trained for medical procedures such as blood draw and ultrasound, and animals trained in more “fun” activities such as bows and summersaults. Interns will learn how to prepare diets, maintain exhibits, provide enrichment and mental stimulation, keep behavioral records, and give public presentations. They will also learn how trainers use principles such as positive reinforcement, classical conditioning and shaping to train animals.
Education Internship:
The Education internship provides a unique education setting for interns interested in teaching. They will get the opportunity to interact with guests, educate school groups, and work with summer camps. The internship will provide enriched experience in public speaking, classroom presentations and management, science education instruction, and guest relations. Interns will even get the opportunity to snorkel in local waters to provide campers with hands-on learning.
Read also: Comprehensive Pet Care
Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Cove’s internship program is available to students and college graduates. Interns will work with animal care staff and have the opportunity to assist with many aspects of animal care, husbandry, guest relations, and day-to-day operations. Duties will include assisting trainers in training sessions, diet preparation, overseeing swim sessions, and basic cleaning and maintenance at the facility. The internship will enhance knowledge of dolphin identification and dolphin behavior. Interns will also participate in a lecture series and cross train in another department.
Dolphins Plus
Dolphins Plus provides internship opportunities to undergraduates, graduate students, and recent college graduates interested in research. Interns will be exposed to ongoing research and in doing so, gain a deeper understanding of the scientific process.
Dolphin Quest
Dolphin Quest’s internship program is specifically for college students or recent college graduates. It aims to prepare them for a career in animal training by giving hands-on experience working with animals, trainers and teachers. They offer three main programs: Marine Mammal Training Internship, Marine Conservation Education Internship, and Baby Watch Internship.
Marine Mammal Training Internship:
The Marine Mammal Training Internship includes four main areas of focus: Health and Care of Animals, Education and Global Stewardship, Sensational Guest Service, and Professionalism and Teamwork. It also includes a lecture series to enhance the intern’s learning experience. Often, it can count as college credit.
Marine Conservation Education Internship:
The Marine Conservation Education Internship has goals that are believed to be transferrable to any marine facility or conservation organization. It focuses on Education, Conservation and Global Stewardship, Sensational Guest Service, and Professionalism and Teamwork.
Baby Watch Internship:
The Baby Watch Internship involves the record keeping and monitoring of a new baby calf and its mother. Interns will be able to record their observations, assist trainers, interact with visitors and share information.
Dolphin Research Center
The Dolphin Research Center offers a large selection of internship opportunities with concentrations in various departments. Interns will typically work a 40-hour week, spending four days in their concentrated department and one day in other areas of operation within the facility through the Volunteer Resources Pool. This extra day helps interns to develop skills that can be used in multiple employment settings. The areas of concentration include Animal Care and Training, Education, Information Technologies, Research, Special Needs and Visual Communications.
Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium offers internships that provide hands-on experience and professional connections. Interns will shadow experts for 20-40 hours a week for three to eight months. The aquarium offers internships in Audio/ Visual-Multimedia Services, Digital Media, Dive Operations, Event Sales and Services, Exhibits and Graphics, Group Sales, Human Resources, Information Technology, Life Support Systems, Marketing and Communications, Public Relations, Theater Production: Dolphin Show, Veterinary Preceptorship/Externship, Volunteer Programs, Water Quality Lab, Zoological Operations: Animal Training (Dolphins), Zoological Operations: Animal Training (Mammals and Birds), Zoological Operations: Fish and Invertebrates, and Zoological Operations: Quarantine. All internships are unpaid and money for housing, food and travel are not provided.
Gulf World Marine Park
Gulf World Marine Park offers three internship programs: Education, Animal Care and Training, and Veterinary.
Education Internship:
The Education Internship is ideal for college students to act as a camp counselor, conduct public presentations, coordinate field trip groups, and work on various other projects. This internship is paid and requires 30 hours per week including weekends and holidays.
Animal Care and Training Internship:
The Animal Care and Training Internship will teach interns about daily animal care and training techniques. Interns will work on shows and swim with animals. They will be placed in the Dolphin Area, Sea Lion Area, or the Avian and Small Mammal Area. Responsibilities will include food preparation, cleaning, maintenance, water quality testing, guest interactions, animal observations, and assisting with animal training.
Veterinary Internship:
The Veterinary Internship is for students in their fourth year at vet school. Students will study a variety of species and participate in the emergency response team. Specific responsibilities will be assigned based on the student’s skills and interests.
Island Dolphin Care
Internships at Island Dolphin Care provide opportunities for both students and young professionals. Their program allows interns to observe and assist with various therapy programs and Marine Science Education programs. The internship will typically last four to eight weeks and involve approximately 40 hours of work per week. Duties of this internship may include taking photos or notes of the sessions, assisting with class and water sessions, assisting instructors with planning, setting up or implementing class sessions, and assisting with the clean up of classrooms and the facility. Interns will not train or feed dolphins. They will also not provide instruction to children in the classroom or the water.
Marineland
Two internships are offered at Marineland: one in Animal Training and one in Education. These are available for college students and recent graduates. The education program provides interns with the opportunity to develop programs, prepare materials, give presentations, lead field trip groups, and conduct summer camps. Interns in this program will also assist in creating a newsletter. The Animal Training internship allows interns to work directly with staff, learning by observation. They will gain enhanced knowledge of operant conditioning of marine animals and husbandry. They can also assist in training and feeding as they gain skills.
Perry Institute for Marine Science
The Perry Institute affords interns firsthand experience with standard field procedures, experimental design, sampling protocol, environmental monitoring techniques, diving and boating. Interns will get the opportunity to work with marine scientists in one of two internship programs: Marine Science and Diving Operations. The Marine Science Internship provides direct involvement in support of scientific research and experience in the operational support of science. Interns will work on the varying projects being conducted at the time of their internship. They may be required to assist in procuring funds or grants to support their internship. The Diving Operations Internship allows the intern to work with Diving Safety Officers and researchers with shore and in-water support. They will get the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with active marine scientists and scientific divers. Duties will include filling SCUBA cylinders, routine maintenance of diving equipment including compressors, preparing vessels for daily use and maintaining the dive locker and waterfront.
REEF
REEF is a non-profit organization that utilizes education and research to seek ocean conservation. They offer three main internship programs: the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, Invasive Lionfish Program, and Grouper Moon Program. Each is a four-month long internship that provides experience with scientific diving, outreach and education, data collection and management, non-profit operations, public speaking, conservation fieldwork, and marine biology laboratory techniques. It will allow interns to build relationships and connections in the field and prepare them for a career in marine biology. Interns can carry out independent projects related to their area of interest.
Sea Life Park Hawaii
Sea Life Park Hawaii offers a variety of internships including Marine Mammal Care & Training, Reef & Sea Turtle Care & Training, Seabird Care & Rehabilitation, Veterinary Technician, and Educator Experiences. These internships provide hands-on experiences for students interested in marine mammals. They also provide group research project opportunities for interns. A unique training program exposes interns to training techniques and technology. Interns are expected to work five days a week, totaling 40 hours per week.
Sea World Orlando
The Education and Conservation Department at Sea World Orlando sponsors a paid Camp SeaWorld internship each summer for undergraduate students who have completed their sophomore year. Applicants should be seeking a degree in education, science, recreation or a related field. They should also be CPR certified. SeaWorld offers two camp programs that are accredited by the American Camp Association: Day Camp and Resident Camp. Day Camp is a week long-program that focuses on animals and their habitats.
Other Opportunities
- Appalachian Nature Center: Full-time, summer internship in which interns help teach the public about the history of the Appalachians and related Nature Center exhibits as well as assist with animal husbandry.
- Noah’s Landing: Volunteer positions to assist with animal care, as well as work as tour guides.
- Various Organizations: Volunteer opportunity includes animal and raptor care and offers rolling admission; application is available online.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers: Intern works with small mammals and a wide variety of birds through rehabilitation, education, and animal care. Work for a minimum of 30 hours/week with a minimum of 8 weeks; time of year of internship depends on intern’s availability. Variety of internships including Nature Lab, Small Mammal, and Wildlife Rehab (plus many more). All internships are unpaid, but internship credit is possible. Internships are available fall, spring, and summer semesters.
- Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation:
- Safari Guides: Follow one of our professional guides deep into the African wilderness.
- Bald Head Island Conservancy: Interns are involved in multiple refuge programs, including turtle patrol and bird nesting. Internship provides a food stipend, and on-site housing is provided. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Aquariums: Depending on the type of fellowship, duties may include assisting aquarium, avian or marine mammal staff with animal husbandry tasks; helping with marine-related research projects or as support in our education department.
- Marine Mammal Centers: The marine mammal intern program is designed to be a career learning experience.
- National Marine Life Center: Depending on need and case load, interns will assist with the care of the NMLC rehabilitation patients including seals, sea turtles, and freshwater turtles.
- Seattle Aquarium: The Seattle Aquarium internship program is designed for those with a strong desire to move into the zoo/aquarium field as a career path.
tags: #exotic #animal #internships #opportunities
