Pittsburgh Zoo Internships: A Wildly Fulfilling Experience

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium offers a variety of internship opportunities for individuals passionate about wildlife conservation, animal care, education, and related fields. These internships provide invaluable hands-on experience and prepare students and recent graduates for careers in zoological settings.

A Glimpse into the Internship Experience

One former Animal Ambassador Intern described their experience as "fulfilling," highlighting the rewarding nature of the work despite its challenges. The intern committed to commuting to the zoo for an unpaid internship. Daily tasks included cleaning, scrubbing, and sweeping, but also involved participating in Amphitheater shows, memorizing scripts, and sharing animal facts with the public.

Daily Activities and Responsibilities

Interns at the Pittsburgh Zoo can expect a diverse range of activities, including:

Animal Care: Observation, feeding, cleaning, and enriching environments for various animals.
Presentations: Participating in or leading presentations at the Safari Amphitheater and other zoo venues.
Record Keeping: Reviewing and utilizing online systems to track animal behaviors, enrichment, and other details.
Animal Handling: Learning safe and proper animal handling techniques for various species.
Enrichment: Creating and implementing enrichment activities to stimulate animals and promote their well-being.

Lessons and Skill Development

In addition to daily tasks, interns receive valuable lessons and training in various areas, including:

Animal Restraint: Learning how to safely secure animals for veterinary procedures or check-ups.
Career Building: Gaining tips on interviewing and writing resumes for animal-related jobs.
Public Speaking: Enhancing presentation skills through Amphitheater shows and educational programs.
Animal Training: Participating in animal training sessions and learning about positive reinforcement techniques.

Behind-the-Scenes Experiences

Interns may also have the opportunity to:

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Tour the aquarium and commissary, observing how food is prepared and distributed to zoo animals.
Visit different areas of the zoo, such as the giraffe and zebra barn, to learn about animal care practices.
Attend Q&A sessions with zoo veterinarians and other professionals.

Types of Internships Available

The Pittsburgh Zoo offers a range of internships tailored to different interests and career goals. Some of the available internship programs include:

Animal Ambassador Internships

Animal Ambassador Interns have the opportunity to work hands-on with the Conservation Education department’s animal care team, maintaining a collection of over 50 animal ambassadors used in public education programs. Responsibilities include observation, feeding, cleaning, record keeping, and animal handling/presentations. Interns also receive lessons on public speaking/presentation, lesson development, animal training and enrichment, zoo careers, and guest service.

Mammal Internships

Mammal interns at the Islands area of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium have the opportunity to work with unique endangered species, such as clouded leopards, Visayan warty pigs, and siamangs. This internship is a 12-week, two-day-a-week course.

Kids Kingdom Animal Husbandry Internship

The Kids Kingdom Animal Husbandry Internship is designed for individuals interested in a career in animal husbandry and training. Interns will primarily be trained in the aspects of animal husbandry, with a strong emphasis on training and enrichment, gaining a solid base of animal husbandry knowledge with a wide variety of animals including mammals and birds.

Registrar Internship

The Registrar Intern supports the functions of the Zoo Registrar, working hands-on with the Registrar in maintaining over 100,000 animal records. The intern learns about animal permits, records, transactions, and transports, and how to code animal data into the animal records keeping software programs used at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

Water's Edge Internship

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Water’s Edge interns have the opportunity to take part in all aspects of daily husbandry of the 4 species in the AMMPA-accredited marine mammal facility. This progressive internship is 13 weeks in length and requires a full commitment. Intern responsibilities encompass the skills needed to provide exceptional care for marine mammals, including morning diet preparation, kitchen/facility cleaning exceeding USDA standards, daily guest interactions, assisting with life support systems, managing daily enrichment schedules, creating novel enrichment, and assisting with animal training projects alongside of keepers. Prospective interns who possess an Open Water Scuba Diver Certification from an accredited dive association (e.g. PADI, NAUI, SSI) also have the opportunity to apply for the Volunteer Dive Program.

Special Events Internship

The Special Events Internship assists with the development, management, and execution a variety of special events that welcome a wide range of audiences to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium throughout the year. This role includes event setup and execution, administrative tasks, and client relations. Applicants must be available every weekend in addition to 1-3 days each week.

Membership Internship

The Membership Intern will support administrative functions related to the Zoo’s Development and Membership work.

Benefits of Interning at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Interning at the Pittsburgh Zoo offers numerous benefits for aspiring professionals in animal-related fields:

Hands-on Experience: Gain practical experience in animal care, handling, and training.
Skill Development: Develop valuable skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and record-keeping.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with zoo professionals, veterinarians, and other interns.
Career Advancement: Enhance your resume and gain a competitive edge in the job market.
Personal Fulfillment: Contribute to wildlife conservation and education while pursuing your passion for animals.

Tips for Aspiring Zoo Interns

For those interested in pursuing an internship at the Pittsburgh Zoo or other animal-related facilities, here are some helpful tips:

Read also: City of Pittsburgh Internships

Apply Widely: Don't be afraid to apply for internships even if you lack extensive experience.
Show Initiative: Demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for animals and conservation.
Be Flexible: Be open to working in different areas of the zoo and with various species.
Seek Assistance: Explore scholarship opportunities to help cover expenses associated with unpaid internships.
Network: Attend zoo events and connect with professionals in the field.

The Importance of Conservation Education

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium recognizes the crucial role of education in wildlife conservation. Through its Conservation Education Department, the zoo offers a variety of programs designed to inspire and educate children and adults about the importance of protecting animals and their habitats.

Programs and Initiatives

The zoo's education programs include:

On-site Classes: Educational classes held at the zoo for children and families.
Community Outreach: Programs that reach schools and other facilities in the community.
Safari Amphitheater: Presentations featuring animal ambassadors and educational messages.
Overnight Sleepover Programs: Immersive experiences that allow participants to learn about animals in a unique setting.

The Role of Interns in Education

Interns play a vital role in the zoo's education efforts. They assist with animal care, participate in presentations, and help develop educational materials. By interacting with zoo visitors and sharing their knowledge, interns contribute to raising awareness about conservation issues and inspiring action.

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