Philadelphia Zoo: Diverse Internship Opportunities for Students
The Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo, offers a variety of internship programs for students interested in wildlife, conservation, and related fields. These internships provide practical experience, allowing students to contribute to the Zoo's mission of conservation, science, education, and recreation. From veterinary medicine to event planning and graphic design, the Zoo provides opportunities for students from diverse academic backgrounds.
Veterinary Internship in Orangutan and Primate Medicine
The Philadelphia Zoo, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and International Animal Rescue (IAR) Indonesia, offers an 18-month Veterinary Internship in orangutan and primate medicine. This is a unique international partnership providing practical veterinary medical experience in zoological medicine, specifically primate and orangutan medicine.
Program Structure
The Veterinary Intern will spend six months receiving clinical training with the staff of the Zoo’s Department of Animal Health, providing comprehensive healthcare to the Zoo’s animal collection. The initial training will focus on primate medicine, but will also involve work with the full collection at the Zoo. Additional opportunities exist for rotations through appropriate clinical services of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine to augment the intern’s training.
Following the initial training at the Zoo, the Veterinary Intern will travel to IAR Indonesia’s Orangutan Center in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, where they will be based for the following 12 months. There, they will work with IAR’s team to provide veterinary care and assistance in the rehabilitation of orangutans and slow lorises at the Rescue Center. This will primarily involve work at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.
Responsibilities at the Philadelphia Zoo
During the initial six months at the Philadelphia Zoo, the Veterinary Intern will:
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- Provide veterinary care to all Zoo collection animals. Prior experience in primate medicine is desirable.
- Assist in the implementation of a preventive medical program for the Zoo collection.
- Maintain contemporaneous animal health records.
- Participate in zoo research programs pertaining to animal health.
- Assist with compliance with USDA requirements and standards, as well as other federal and state agency requirements as they relate to animal health, exhibition, captive management, transportation, etc.
- Assist veterinary technicians with laboratory work.
- Consult on zoonotic disease issues.
- Participate in staff meetings, committee assignments, etc.
- Consult with, coordinate, and participate in scientific and medical involvement with various schools and universities.
- Perform necropsies on collection and wildlife cases as necessary.
- Interact positively with Zoo visitors and present to members of the Zoo community, including staff, volunteers, board of directors, and major donors.
- Work with Zoo and IAR Public Relations and Zoo Education on development of social media platforms.
Qualifications
Applicants for the Veterinary Internship must meet the following qualifications:
- Veterinary Degree (DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree) from an AVMA-accredited university. If a graduate of a foreign school, must have a license to practice veterinary medicine in the United States.
- Minimum one year of experience as a practicing clinical veterinarian.
- Eligibility for a Pennsylvania veterinary license within three months of starting.
- USDA accreditation or willingness to become accredited within three months of starting.
- Proof of up-to-date vaccination against rabies, tetanus, hepatitis A and B (required prior to travel to IAR Indonesia but can be obtained after start of employment at the Zoo).
- Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekend and evening hours.
- Ability to travel and live abroad in Indonesia with limited resources for an extended period (position requires candidate to obtain a social budaya visa which IAR will assist in obtaining).
- Ability to work in harsh and potentially extreme environmental conditions, including time in remote forest areas.
- Must be in good physical condition with no impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance, and agility of movement (which cannot be corrected with appropriate devices) which may interfere with the ability to perform work.
- Able to safely lift, carry, and load 40 pounds a distance of 50 feet.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.); ability to learn and effectively use Zoological Information Management System and other computer record-keeping software.
- Experience or familiarity with social media.
The Philadelphia Zoo's Animal Health Department
The Philadelphia Zoo’s Department of Animal Health staff is comprised of three clinical veterinarians (including one ACZM Diplomate), a veterinary pathologist (AVCP Diplomate), and three animal health technicians. There is an excellent relationship between the veterinary staff and the curatorial/keeper staff at the Zoo, as well as other departments such as Education, Development, and Public Relations. The Philadelphia Zoo also employs a full-time animal nutritionist within the Department of Animal Services. A modern 14,000-square-foot hospital is present on Zoo grounds, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is situated two miles away. A close association exists between the Zoo and the UPenn veterinary school.
About the Partner Organizations
- The Philadelphia Zoo: A private, nonprofit organization and America’s first zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education, and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world. The 42-acre Victorian garden is home to more than 1,300 animals of 272 species, many of which are species of conservation concern.
- The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine: A global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school and a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health. Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital employs board-certified faculty in AVMA-recognized specialties and has a caseload of approximately 35,000 patient visits per year.
- International Animal Rescue (IAR) Indonesia: A private, nonprofit organization that comes to the aid of wild and domestic animals with hands-on rescue and rehabilitation. IAR’s team in Indonesia specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating orangutans, macaques, and slow lorises and releasing them back into protected areas in the wild. IAR Indonesia operates an orangutan rehabilitation center in Ketapang, West Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) to rescue and care for baby orangutans that have been taken from their mothers to be illegally sold as pets, as well as rescued adults that have spent their entire lives in captivity, often in very poor conditions prior to arrival at the center. IAR also operates a human-orangutan conflict (HOC) team that comes to the aid of orangutans left stranded when their forest home is destroyed and translocates these vulnerable animals to safe areas of protected forest. Animals that can no longer survive in the wild receive permanent housing at the center.
Application Process
Applications should include a letter of intent, a curriculum vitae, transcript, and contact information for three professional references. Cover letters and CVs should be submitted via online application at www.philadelphiazoo.org. The position will remain open until filled. Preference will be given to applications received by August 1, 2017.
Other Internship Opportunities
In addition to the Veterinary Internship, the Philadelphia Zoo offers various other internship opportunities for students.
Animal Care Internship
The Animal Care Internship provides introductory experience for students interested in a career working with animals. Interns work side-by-side with KidZooU zookeepers, providing routine husbandry for animals in the Zoo's exhibit and teaching collections. Animals in this space include hedgehogs, armadillos, mini horses, rabbits, goats, chickens, sheep, porcupines, parrots, raptors, reptiles, invertebrates, and more!
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Responsibilities may include:
- Cleaning/disinfecting animal enclosures and other animal-related areas in accordance with Zoo standards/policies and other identified standards of sanitation.
- Participating in professional development opportunities and course work or continuing education programs.
Conservation Education Internship
The Conservation Education Internship provides college students practical experience in animal observation, education, and conservation. This program includes the opportunity to gain a broad insight into the Zoo community and how it operates. Participants immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the Zoo while providing an educational experience to guests.
Responsibilities may include:
- Providing educational experiences to guests.
- Animal observation.
- Contributing to conservation efforts.
Events Internship
For college students looking for hands-on experience in Event Planning, there is no better place than the Philadelphia Zoo to enhance your portfolio by executing numerous events in our unique landscape. With guidance from a manager, Unpaid Events Interns gain skills in preparing event documents, project coordination, and event execution. Through this opportunity, qualified candidates will gain insight into all the stages of planning, developing, and executing an event from inception to completion throughout their internship with the Events department.
Responsibilities may include:
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- Contributing to the strategic planning of both internal and external events held at the Philadelphia Zoo.
- Assisting the Events Department with project-based tasks, including client-facing events and internal Zoo events.
- Attending client meetings, site visits, and in-house staff meetings as needed.
- Engaging in weekly Logistics Meetings to discuss and advise on upcoming event details based on event fulfillment memos.
- Fulfilling other responsibilities assigned by the Director of Event Sales and Operations and Event Managers.
Qualifications:
- Rising Sophomore or Junior in an accredited Program studying Event, Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, or other applicable major.
- Ability to commit to a minimum of 16 hours/week.
- Ability to attend a scheduled interview.
- If accepted, completion of online orientation/training prior to start date.
- Submission of background checks and COVID vaccination record to Philadelphia Zoo Human Resources.
- Preference is given to students who can earn course credit through unpaid internship participation.
- Ability to perform physical work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Must be able to lift and move items up to 30lbs.
- Availability to work evenings and weekends.
- Possession of the following Interpersonal skills: comfortable working both independently and in a team setting; excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented thinking and strategic decision making; strong written and verbal communication skills; and ability to manage a variety of tasks and complete priorities accurately under deadline pressure.
Graphic Design Internship
Responsibilities may include:
- Photo and Logo Library organization: Assist with filing designs, logos, photos, and projects.
Qualifications:
- Major/Program experience necessary in graphic design, branding, and environmental signage. Includes in-depth knowledge of Adobe design programs, including working with fonts, files, photos.
- Ability to commit to a minimum of 18 hours/week, totaling a minimum of 240 hours.
- Ability to attend a scheduled interview prior.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Philadelphia Zoo offers volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups ranging in abilities and age from 14 to adults. Most volunteers support daily operations and education programs on an ongoing basis, teaching Zoo visitors about animals and conservation projects. Volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year and are essential members of our team!
Most volunteer programs require a one-year commitment, but all are encouraged to apply. Each volunteer opportunity has an application and interview process. If accepted, volunteers must submit a background check and complete initial training. All volunteer positions require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing at the volunteer’s expense. Selection and training for most positions takes place once per season based on school calendars, zoo needs, or other factors.
Docent Program
Docents are passionate volunteer educators who dive deep into the world of animals, becoming experts in their own right. Whether you're fascinated by a specific species or eager to broaden your horizons to encompass the diverse inhabitants of our zoo, there's a place for you to shine. The full training will take nine months to complete and will include both online and onsite training. All zoo exhibits will be available for training once per year and will be split into three smaller modules in 3-month periods.
Associate docents are docents who have knowledge limited to certain areas of the zoo. If an Associate Docent is in the process of completing the full program, their program requirement is 25 annual hours of service. The first month of each 3-month training module will involve online courses for individuals who do not have a history of volunteering at the zoo. Courses will provide general information on classifications of animals, group adaptations and characteristics, and common conservation issues facing the group as a whole. Information will also be provided on the individual species and animals that live at the Philadelphia Zoo. For course designations with large numbers of species, the animals most critical to conservation messaging will be prioritized, and not all animals may be highlighted. On-site training will be offered twice a month (one weekend and one weekday) and will include information specific to the individual animals that live at the zoo and how they are cared for. There will be a formal classroom element (either docent or staff-led) where they will learn about the unique animals that live at the zoo and how they are cared for.
Age Requirements: All Docents must be 21+.
Special Events Volunteers
Special Events volunteers assist with annual zoo events such as Boo at the Zoo in October. This program is a great opportunity for those with limited availability or for groups looking for annual service opportunities. Volunteers will be assigned to a specific station or task for event day, and all efforts will be made to ensure volunteers that request placement together are stationed at the same location.
Time Requirements: Will vary depending on event. Volunteers must be able to work full event shift.
Other Programs
West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars Program
The West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars program is an exciting opportunity for high school students in West Philadelphia to dive into the world of wildlife, science, and environmental action - all at America’s first zoo. The program provides resources and paid opportunities to local young people coming from the Zoo’s surrounding neighborhoods to increase their interest and access to zoological, animal care, and conservation career fields.
This immersive, multi-year program builds from sophomore year to college and then to career, empowering students with hands-on experiences and lessons in Zoological sciences, Veterinary medicine, Environmental education, and Wildlife conservation. Students going into 10th and 11th grade who attend school or live in Philadelphia are eligible to apply. Zoo Scholars don’t just learn about the natural world - they become ambassadors for change. As a Scholar, you’ll join a community of young leaders committed to conservation, equity, and education.
Albert M. Greenfield UNLESS Contest
Philly Zoo's award-winning Albert M. Greenfield UNLESS Contest has empowered thousands of K-12 students to take action for wildlife. In addition to housing endangered animals-some extinct in the wild-and supporting conservation efforts around the world, Philadelphia Zoo helps create empathy and understanding for wildlife through programs like the UNLESS Contest, which has inspired tens of thousands of students over the past decade to learn about and create advocacy campaigns to make a lasting impact on an endangered species of their choosing. To date, the UNLESS Contest has resulted in hundreds of trees planted in Brazil, thousands of signatures in support of a wildlife bridge, and dollars raised to support our partners in the field.
Educational Resources
The Philadelphia Zoo offers a variety of educational resources for students and teachers.
Webinars
Webinars are live virtual lessons with a Zoo educator and animal guests targeted for K-4 audiences. These webinar format lessons invite numerous students and classes (even from different schools!) to a 45-minute storytelling session all about amazing animals! Webinars are held at set times monthly and topics range from month to month.
Field Trips
Bring your lessons to life at Philadelphia Zoo! Spark your students’ curiosity and help them connect with the wonders of wildlife. A field trip to the Zoo is like no other - learning, tons of fun, and the chance to get a little wild!
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