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Zoo Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Great Plains Zoo

Zookeeper (Ungulate)

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$18/hr

Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team! Job Summary ... Supervisory Responsibilities This position helps to oversee and train Junior Zookeepers, interns ...

Great Plains Zoo

Zookeeper (Ungulate)

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team! Job Summary ... Supervisory Responsibilities This position helps to oversee and train Junior Zookeepers, interns ...

Houston Zoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX · On-site

Assumes select supervisory duties in the absence of Zoo Supervisors. * Serves as a positive role model for interns, volunteers, and other keepers and staff. * Demonstrates a clear understanding of ...

Dundee Township Park District

Zoo Intern

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

This unpaid internship is ideal for college students or recent graduates pursuing a career in zoology, animal science, or a related field. Why Join Us? As a Zoo Intern, youll work alongside ...

Dundee Township Parks District

Zoo Intern

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

This unpaid internship is ideal for college students or recent graduates pursuing a career in zoology, animal science, or a related field. Why Join Us? As a Zoo Intern, you'll work alongside ...

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How much do zoo internships jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for zoo internships in the United States is $15.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $16.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are zoo internships?

Zoo internships are structured programs offered by zoos to provide hands-on experience and training to students or recent graduates interested in animal care, conservation, education, or zoo operations. Interns may work alongside zookeepers and educators, assisting with animal care, enrichment, research, and public education. These internships are valuable for gaining practical skills, networking within the zoological field, and enhancing future career opportunities in animal-related professions.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect during a zoo internship, and how do these contribute to my professional development?

During a zoo internship, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on activities such as animal husbandry, habitat maintenance, assisting with enrichment activities, and observing animal health checks. These experiences allow you to develop practical skills in animal care, teamwork, and communication, all of which are highly valued in zoological and wildlife careers. Internships often include opportunities to shadow zookeepers, interact with educational staff, and contribute to conservation projects, providing a well-rounded foundation for future roles in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a zoo intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Zoo Intern, you generally need a background in biology, animal science, or a related field, often supported by coursework or volunteer experience with animals. Familiarity with animal care protocols, safety guidelines, and sometimes basic data entry or animal management software is typically expected. Strong observational skills, reliability, and effective communication help interns stand out when working with staff and the public. These skills ensure the safety, welfare, and proper care of animals while supporting the zoo’s education and conservation missions.
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Zoo Internships jobs near you
Infographic showing various Zoo Internships job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 82% Full Time, and 12% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,421 per year, or $15.6 per hour.

Unpaid Animal Care Internship - Giraffe (Fall 2026)

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN • On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Part-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Animal Care Internship - Giraffe
Interns work directly with animal care staff to gain firsthand experience of all aspects of animal husbandry including diet prep, enclosure maintenance, training, enrichment, guest interactions and more. The goal of the program is to provide college students (or recent graduates) with pre-professional career experience through hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
Species: Reticulated Giraffes, Bongo and Red River Hog with the potential to work with Southern White Rhinos, Grant's Zebra and Scimitar-Horned Oryx.
This internship is unpaid but housing may be available seasonally. The program spans 10-12 weeks and participants will be scheduled up to 40hrs per week. Spring internships begin in January and end in May. Summer internships will begin in May and end in August. Fall internships begin in August and end in December.
Intern duties will vary upon season and departmental needs, but could include:
  • Assisting staff in all aspects of animal care including, but not limited to, diet preparation, exhibit cleaning/disinfection, maintenance, training and enrichment, record keeping, and guest interactions. Contact with class one animals is minimal and directly supervised.
  • Actively observing animal's behavior
  • Facilitates formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
  • Assisting with the production of special events, animal celebrations, and awareness days
  • Maintaining animal areas, work areas, and all resources in a clean, organized manner
  • Completes a special project covering observations, research, enrichment or another area of interest.

Qualifications:
  • Must be a dependable, hard-working college student or recent graduate with an interest in the fields of education, interpretation, environmental science, biology, zoology, or zoo management or might be considering a change of career.
  • Must be able to work between 24-40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks.
  • Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Must demonstrate enthusiasm and good judgement while working with children and zoo guests.
  • Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to follow directions.

Beneficial Skills:
  • Proficiency in Office 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the intern will frequently work in outdoor settings (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This position requires frequent sitting/standing/walking/bending/kneeling and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 50 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Requirements:
  • 18 years or older.
  • Clear background check.
  • Clear TB screening.

EEOC and Inclusion Statement:
The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.
The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.
The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.
All offers of internship are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-internship screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.
How to Apply:
Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Internships page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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