SCBI Great Cats Animal Care Internship-PAID

Description

The SCBI Great Cats Animal Care Internship is open to students interested in animal care and conservation biology. Internships are offered in the following focus areas: carnivores, Amazonia, small mammals, elephants, American Trail, great cats, and bird house keeper. Selected interns will gain hands-on experience in animal management, animal behavior research, and animal welfare practices within a leading conservation organization. Interns will work alongside professional animal care staff to support the daily care and management of a diverse collection of species within the Lion/Tiger team at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Interns will not have any direct contact with collection animals. Interns may assist with activities such as behavioral observations, enrichment development, exhibit monitoring, diet preparation, habitat maintenance, and participation in animal training sessions and will also gain public speaking skills by interpreting animal behaviors to visitors. Interns may also contribute to applied research or welfare-focused projects that inform animal management decisions and support NZCBI’s mission to save species through science, conservation, and public engagement. These projects may include behavioral data collection, enrichment design and evaluation, or studies examining how exhibit environments and visitor experience may influence animal behavior. Throughout the internship, participants will gain exposure to the complex nature of the zoo's operations - integrating animal care, research, conservation science, and public education. Interns will work under the supervision of experienced animal care professionals and may have opportunities to present project findings or recommendations to staff.