Enrichment & Animal Well-being Internship

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Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

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Enrichment & Animal Well-being Internship

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Reports to: Curator of Behavioral Husbandry & Wellbeing

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Schedule: 28-35 hours per week

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January - June 2027

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4-month or 6-month position

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Application Deadline: September 13, 2026

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Internship Overview:

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Are you passionate about animals and want a role in how behavior, enrichment, research and welfare all come together in a zoo setting? This internship is a hands-on opportunity for college students or recent graduates who are interested in careers in zookeeping, animal behavior, animal welfare, enrichment, or behavioral research.

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As an intern, you'll work closely with the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Wellbeing, the Enrichment Program Assistant, and animal care staff. You'll gain real-world experience in:

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Environmental enrichment - designing and implementing enrichment activities that encourage natural behaviors.

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Animal behavior and welfare - observing animals, assessing their wellbeing, and learning how behavior relates to health and care.

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Training techniques - participating in training sessions and workshops to understand positive reinforcement and behavior shaping.

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Behavioral research - developing and carrying out your own research project, analyzing data, and sharing your findings with animal care teams.

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Additional responsibilities may include setting up enrichment in animal habitats, brainstorming new enrichment ideas, helping with animal well-being assessments, and possibly assisting with public interpretation of enrichment and training sessions. This is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of animal care in a professional zoo environment, build valuable skills, and contribute meaningfully to the animals' welfare.

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This is a paid Internship.

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Primary Responsibilities:

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Develop, coordinate and implement daily enrichment for several species in the zoo

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Construct, implement, and evaluate new enrichment devices

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Conduct behavioral observations

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Data entry and analysis

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Assist keepers in setting up exhibits to offer dynamic, complex experiences for the animals

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Participate in animal training sessions

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Experience Required

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Minimum Requirements: \t\t\t\t\t•\tJunior or Senior in college or recent graduate \t\t\t\t\t•\tMajor in Biology, Animal Behavior, Psychology, Zoology or other related field \t\t\t\t\t•\tStrong willingness to learn, positive attitude, team mentality \t\t\t\t\t•\tPrevious hands-on work with animals \t\t\t\t\t•\tProficiency with Microsoft Excel preferred \t\t\t\t\t•\tThe Toledo Zoo is a drug-free workplace, including marijuana

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Salary

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$11.00 per hour

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How to Apply

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Please visit our website at toledozoo.org/jobs to submit an application for consideration.

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Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

2 Hippo Way

Toledo, OH 43609

Phone: 419-385-5721

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