Animal Care Internships
Animal Care Internships
The Lehigh Valley Zoo offers 3 Animal Care Internships:
- Ambassador Animal Husbandry
- Domestic Hoofstock Husbandry and Commissary Management
- Exotic Hoofstock Husbandry
Applicants indicate their preference for internship placement when they apply. Preference will be taken into consideration for placement, but selected applicants may be offered any of the three Internship opportunities based on availability of positions for the session.
Animal Care Internships provide opportunities to learn the following:
- Daily husbandry for a variety of species
- AZA and USDA regulations and standards
- Safe methods of animal handling and restraint
- Exhibit and animal safety practices
- Maintenance of animal exhibits and holding areas
- Proper nutrition and diet preparation
- The fundamentals of modern animal training techniques
- Basics of animal behavior and evaluating behavior
- Observe medical treatments or procedures when possible
- Record keeping
- Implementation and evaluation of enrichment
- Public speaking skills through keeper chats and public interaction
- Knowledge of zoo-wide emergency procedures
- How to work cooperatively in a team environment
Ambassador Animal Internship
Interns follow Ambassador Animal Keepers throughout the day to learn husbandry techniques involved in the care of this diverse collection. These animals participate in our educational programming and include a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Domestic Hoofstock and Commissary Internship
Interns learn the husbandry for all animals living in the Fred and Anne Jaindl Barnyard and the waterfowl pond. This includes sheep, goats, alpacas, pigs, chickens, geese, and swans. Afternoons are spent learning diet preparation for all zoo animals, proper food handling practices, and how to stock, upkeep, and maintain a functioning animal commissary.
African Hoofstock Internship
Interns shadow the Large Animal Keepers to learn husbandry for the animals in their care. In addition to the hoofstock species (including Common Eland, Scimitar-horned Oryx, Plains Zebra, Maasai Giraffe, Aoudad, Bison, and Elk), there are also macropods (Red Kangaroos and Tammar Wallabies) and ratites (Emus and Ostriches).
Physical demands and work environment:
- All interns are expected to work a ten-hour day starting at 7 AM.
- They must complete the minimum hour requirement for their session.
- Interns may receive course credit for the internship from their respective institute.
- Must be able to spend lengthy portions of the day on their feet performing animal care tasks.
- Ability to work in all weather conditions.
- Interns must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Completed or enrolled in college degree program. Preferred candidates will have or be working towards a degree in biology, zoology, animal behavior, or another related field.
- Have strong observation and communication skills.
- Ability to work alone or in a group.
- Ability to think creatively and show critical thinking and good problem-solving skills.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Spring Internships (January-May)
- Unpaid
- 1-3 days per week, 14-week requirement
- Deadline to apply: December 1st
Summer Internships (May-August)
- $1800 Stipend
- 4 days per week, 12-week requirement
- Deadline to apply: March 1st
Fall Internships (September-December)
- Unpaid
- 1-3 days per week, 14-week requirement
- Deadline to apply: August 1st