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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 ...

Houston Zoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

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 ...

Zoo New England

Part- Time Zookeeper

Boston, MA · On-site

Assists Curators, zoo veterinarian and veterinary staff in capture and restraint of zoo specimens ... Allowed to mentor interns. · Attends safety training as required. Encouraged to attend keeper ...

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How much do zoo internships jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 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 - Big Cats, Hippos, Primates and Crocodiles (Fall 2026)

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN • On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Part-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Unpaid Animal Care Internship - Big Cats, Hippos, and Crocodiles
The Memphis Zoo has an exciting internship opportunity with our Cat Country/Zambezi River Hippo Team. Interns will work with keepers to gain firsthand experience on all aspects of animal husbandry as it relates to the animal's physiological and psychological well-being, and for the general maintenance of enclosures and habitats. The ideal candidate for this position should be seeking a career in the animal care field and enjoy working in a team environment.
Species: The Cat Country / Zambezi River Hippo Camp team cares for all Felid species from fishing cats to tigers as well as hippos, Nile crocodiles, flamingos, African hoofstock, and other species.
Key Dates:
Unpaid internship programs span 10-12 weeks.
  • Spring Internships: January - May (application deadline November).
  • Summer Internships: May - August (application deadline March).
  • Fall Internships: August - December (application deadline July).

Applications may be accepted until positions are filled. Start and end dates are flexible. Housing is not provided for this internship.
Intern duties will vary upon season and departmental needs, but could include:
  • Assisting Zookeepers and Team leads with the daily husbandry of assigned animals. (No direct contact with class one animals).
  • Actively observing animal's behavior.
  • Facilitating formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
  • Preparing daily diets and maintains accurate records of assigned animals.
  • Appropriately cleaning and disinfecting assigned animal enclosures/habitats according to written protocols.
  • Maintaining animal areas, work areas, and all resources in a clean, organized manner
  • Completing a special project covering observations, research, enrichment or another area of interest.

Qualifications:
  • Students or graduates pursuing a degree/career in zoology, biology, veterinary science, or related science.
  • GPA of 3.0 or greater.
  • Availability of 24-40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks.
  • Demonstrated enthusiasm and good judgement while working with children and zoo guests.
  • 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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