National Zoological Park- Lion Tiger Department Internship

Contact: Kathryn Juliano, julianok@si.edu

Number of Positions: 1

Length of Internship: 15 weeks, 240 hours total, during the fall semester (start and end dates flexible)

Intern Schedule: 2 set days per week, 8 hours per day, on variable schedule between 7am and 7pm

Internship Description: The selected student will work under a keeper in the Lion Tiger unit of the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC. The intern will learn husbandry and management techniques for a wide variety of animals including lions, tigers, Andean bears, bobcats, prairie dogs, porcupines, maras, and domestic livestock. The intern will learn husbandry skills, including diet preparation, enclosure cleaning and maintenance, enrichment preparation, and behavioral observations. The intern will also gain public speaking skills by interpreting animal behaviors to visitors.

By the end of the semester, the intern will complete a poster and a paper with a focus on an animal husbandry procedure.

The intern will not have any direct contact with collection animals. The selected intern must be able to work in all types of weather, lift 50 pounds, follow all safety protocols, complete health screenings, and complete a background check.

Target Audience: This internship is designed to provide interns to explore careers in the zoo husbandry field. The internship is an entry-level program, and as such applicants with prior zoo experience may not find it very beneficial. Applicants interested in other aspects of the zoo field, including laboratory research or veterinary medicine, may not find this internship applicable. Students, recent graduates, or individuals in the workforce with little to no experience in a zoo setting are encouraged to apply. Current students will receive support to earn college credit for their time spent in the program.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people.

To Apply: Send a resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript (if applicable), and a schedule of availability for the spring semester to julianok@si.edu by November 15. Selected applicants will be contacted for interviews no later than December 1.