This dynamic internship provides a variety of experience working with a diverse array of African species. Zoo visitors can experience the African savannah and rocky kopje habitats at the Habitat Africa! The Savannah indoor/outdoor exhibit. Reticulated giraffes, klipspringer antelope, and dwarf mongoose are among the animals found here.

The Pachyderm building is one of the zoo’s original structures. Over the years, the Pachyderm building has housed a wide variety of large animals. Currently it is home to a pygmy hippo, black rhino, capybara, and two species of tapirs.

This internship will focus on several aspects of caring for large animals. Working alongside their mentor, interns are exposed to animal nutrition, safe husbandry, operant conditioning, exhibit maintenance, record-keeping, animal training and enrichment, public interaction, and animal observations. Intern candidates interested in this internship should possess a willingness to learn about these aspects under close supervision of experienced animal care staff and be able to handle a strenuous workload.

As part of their Giraffe/Pachyderm internship, interns will work with their mentor to design, implement, and complete a short research project relating to animal husbandry. Their close work with animal care staff and their understanding of suggested reading materials will give interns in this role practical experience in animal care duties and the opportunity to learn many aspects of caring for animals in professional care.

If physical and mental challenges appeal to you, then this internship is the place to be. Caring for some of the world’s largest land animals can be very demanding but also very rewarding!