Enrichment and Animal Well-being Internship

Toledo Zoo Enrichment and Animal Well-being Internship

Fall 2024

Reports to: Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Wellbeing

Schedule: Five days per week, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

August- December 2024

Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

Internship Overview:

This internship is designed for college students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in zoo keeping, animal behavior, animal welfare, enrichment or behavioral research. Interns will work directly with the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Wellbeing, Enrichment Program Manager, and animal keepers to learn the principles of enrichment, animal welfare and behavioral research through hands-on enrichment activities and animal observations. This internship will focus on the development and implementation of enrichment for various zoo animals, including carnivores, elephants, hoofstock, reptiles, and birds, as well as research to evaluate behavioral scenarios and the effectiveness of enrichment. The intern will also assist with other projects throughout the Zoo, including animal well-being assessments, development of new enrichment ideas, enrichment construction and enrichment evaluation.

This is a paid Internship.

Requirements:

• Junior or Senior in college or recent graduate
• Major in Biology, Animal Behavior, Psychology, Zoology or other related field
• Strong willingness to learn, positive attitude, team mentality
• Previous hands-on work with animals
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel preferred

The Toledo Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, creed, genetic information, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.