Indianapolis Zoo Internship Programs: A Gateway to Conservation Careers
The Indianapolis Zoo and surrounding areas offer a variety of internship programs for college students and aspiring professionals passionate about animal conservation, research, education, and recreation. These internships provide invaluable hands-on experience, allowing individuals to contribute to the mission of these organizations while developing essential skills for future careers in the field.
Indianapolis Zoo Internship Program
The Indianapolis Zoo’s Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for current college students to become actively involved in the Zoo’s conservation, research, education, and recreation efforts. Zoo Internships are open to current college students - who are at least at entering their sophomore year - enrolled in a four-year degree program. Interns serve 20-40 hours per week for 12 consecutive weeks. Positions are experience-based and are therefore unpaid. To apply, please submit the Spring Session Application form, along with a cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation and a current (official or unofficial) transcript; November 10 is the deadline to apply.
Summer Internship Opportunities
The Zoo’s Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for college students to become actively involved in the Zoo’s conservation, research, education and recreation efforts. 2026 Summer Internships at the Indianapolis Zoo will last for 12 weeks and take place from mid-May to mid-August. Start and end dates of internships can be determined by the student and the Zoo department, but students must be available throughout the months of June and July. Internships will be paid, and Interns will be scheduled to work 30-40 hours per week. Interns will be expected to complete a project in support of the mission of the Indianapolis Zoo that spans the 12-week internship. Internship projects will be supported by a mentor within the Zoo department. Applications for the Chimpanzee Behavior Research Internship will be available until February 28, 2026. All other internship applications are now closed.
Curatorial Internship Program
The Indianapolis Zoo Curatorial Internship Program is a full-time, two-year paid internship designed to provide aspiring zoo professionals with hands-on experience in animal care, conservation, and zoo management. At the Indianapolis Zoo, we are committed to developing the next generation of curatorial leaders.
The Importance of Volunteers
Volunteers are a vital part of everything we do at the Indianapolis Zoo. Whether you’re an adult, a teen, or part of a group, there’s a place for you in one of our three volunteer programs, all managed by our Volunteer Services Department. Ready to make a difference? Looking for a fun and meaningful way for your company or organization to give back? Join us at the Indianapolis Zoo and support wildlife conservation through hands-on group volunteer projects. Most group projects involve creating enrichment items for our animals using paper products and other safe materials. The Zoo Teen Program is for teens ages 13-17 who are passionate about animals, conservation, and making a difference. The 2026 Zoo Teen Program is underway. The Indianapolis Zoo also has limited volunteer opportunities outside of the Zoo Teen program for students ages 16-17 years old, like volunteering for ZooBoo in September and October. Volunteers are an integral part of the Zoo, helping to enhance daily operations and ensure a smooth, engaging experience for all who visit. Our adult volunteer program offers a range of roles throughout the year, depending on departmental needs and seasonal availability. Eligibility requirements apply, and all current opportunities will be listed on this page. Please note: While volunteering brings you into close proximity with animals, these positions do not involve direct interaction or handling.
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Exotic Feline Rescue Center Internship
The Exotic Feline Rescue Center is a nonprofit corporation that provides homes for life, stable social groups, enhanced environments, and veterinary care to several species of exotic felines including lions, tigers, bobcats, mountain lions and leopards. The nearly 200-acre sanctuary, at present, provides habitats for over 220 individual cats. They are open to the public and provide educational tours to all ages as well as internships to university students. Interns will be trained and involved in public education with daily public tours.
Goldleaf Hydroponics Internship
At Goldleaf Hydroponics we have Bloomington’s largest collection on public display of reptiles and amphibians. Specimens include over 30 types of iguanas, geckos, lizards, monitors, chameleons, skinks, turtles, tegus, frogs, newts, salamanders, tortoises, snakes, and the collection frequently grows in diversity. The focus of this internship is reptile care and enclosure maintenance. Daily care consists of removing uneaten food and waste from the enclosures, giving fresh water to the animals, feeding fresh vegetables and insects to the appropriate animals, and wiping down the tanks. Water based enclosures need periodic water tests and changes. Tanks with media need to be watered in when necessary, and high humidity enclosures need misted occasionally. Certain large lizards and tortoises need daily baths or soaks in water. Interns will also tend and breed feeder insects like crickets, mealworms, superworms, flightless fruit flies, and rodents like mice and frozen rats.
Potawatomi Zoo Internship
As Indiana's oldest zoo, the Potawatomi Zoo is a significant hub for animal enthusiasts in the state. Located in South Bend, Indiana and home to over 400 animals, the 23 acre zoo sees more than 200,000 guests each year. The zoo offers internships in both their education and marketing departments. Education interns work hands-on caring for animals and also assisting zoo staff with educational outreach programs.
The Importance of Animal Conservation at the Indianapolis Zoo
Animal conservation is at the heart of everything we do at the Indianapolis Zoo, and every employee and volunteer makes a contribution to our mission of globally and locally advancing animal conservation. It takes a village to run a zoo! Thanks for considering employment at the Indianapolis Zoo, a national leader in animal conservation and one of Indiana’s top tourist destinations. We only accept online applications for current job openings. Candidates are encouraged to attach a cover letter and résumé to the online application. Candidates being considered for employment will be contacted individually.
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