Animal Care Internships
The
Indianapolis Zoo hosts over 271 species of animals in
naturalistic exhibits in five biomes including 19
threatened or endangered
species, 30 Species Survival Plans (SSP), maintains five SSP
breeding studbooks; and with the support of the Polly Horton Hix
Institute for Research and Conservation, the Zoo is one of the
top conservation research facilities in the United States.
Interns play an important role in animal conservation and have
the unique opportunity to work alongside
Keepers/Trainers/Aquarists to assist in various aspects of
maintaining the animal collection, including animal husbandry,
diet preparation and delivery, exhibit maintenance, as well as
behavioral enrichment. The work is challenging, dirty, and often
unglamorous, but can be highly rewarding. It offers the personal
satisfaction of helping to provide healthy conditions for the
animals along with the opportunity to learn the husbandry
techniques of a world-class zoo. Animal Care Interns should be
prepared to work in all weather conditions and must be extremely
dependable.
Animal Care positions may be available in the following areas:
Encounters — Birds
Marine
Mammal/Carnivore Area
Oceans Biome
Oceans
Water Quality Lab
Plains/Forest Primates Area
Veterinary Hospital Animal Care/Nutrition
Veterinary Student Externship
For more information, contact
the Office of Volunteer Services at (317) 630-5114 or
Indianapolis Zoo, PO Box 22309, Indianapolis, IN 46222. You can
also email
kkraemer@indyzoo.com.
Flights of Fancy, A Brilliance of Birds contains birds
from around the world. Species in this area include
Budgies, Cockatiels, Lorikeets, White Helmeted Guinea Fowl,
White Cheeked Turacos, Superb Starlings, Taveta Golden
Weavers, Southern Ground Hornbills, Chilean Flamingos and
Caribbean Flamingos.
Including one of the most diverse marine mammal
collections in the US, species Interns may encounter include
Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, California sea lion, harbor
seal, Pacific walrus, polar bear, Alaskan brown bear and
Amur tiger. The dolphin pavilion includes an underwater
walkthrough viewing area. SCUBA and CPR certifications
preferred.
This aquarium houses one of the nation’s largest shark
touch tanks! The building also holds numerous other
species including a wide variety of reef fish, sharks, Moray
eels, jellies, seahorses, and penguins to name a few!
Conservation projects include Project Penguin. SCUBA
Certification is preferred but not required.
The water quality lab monitors the water quality for all
exhibits throughout the zoo that include water features.
Interns work with the water quality lab supervisor, and
assist with the collection and analysis of water samples and
maintain daily water quality records. Opportunities to
assist in animal related activities and perform routine
exhibit care are also available. SCUBA Certification is
preferred but not required.
Species in the Plains area include the Addra gazelle,
African lion, African wild dog, cheetah, Grant's zebra,
greater kudu, Guinea baboon, Marabou stork, ostrich,
reticulated giraffe, warthog and white rhinoceros. Species
in the Forest Primates area include lemurs and gibbons. The
Plains Biome also features a giraffe feeding platform.
Pre-Veterinary majors have the chance to work alongside
some of the top veterinary professionals in the
industry. Interns assist the veterinary hospital keepers in
providing care for the hospital patients and quarantine
animals. Interns also assist the Commissary Staff in daily
diet preparation, delivery, and inventory management.
The veterinary student will observe and assist the
veterinarians with clinical cases, treatments, immobilizations,
surgeries, necropsies, and medical record keeping. The student
will be required to complete and present a project during the
externship. Externships are 40 hours per week for four to six
weeks as per fourth year vet student requirements. Arrangements
for externships must be made far in advance. Only enrolled Vet
Students qualify for the externship.
Applicants for the Veterinary
Externship must fill out the
externship application form.
Return to the
Internship Program page.