Animal Care Internships

The Florida Aquarium Animal Ambassador Animal Care internship offers a comprehensive and educational experience focused on working with and caring for the Aquarium’s ambassador animals. The team specializes in the care and health of African penguins, ring-tailed lemurs, North American river otters, various birds of prey, and small reptiles. Interns will have a concentration area with the opportunity to learn about other ambassador areas. This team engages with guests, delivering various public talks throughout the day via microphone. Additionally, the Animal Ambassador team employs various animal training techniques to enhance the health care routine for these animals.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand and apply basic animal husbandry protocols
• Learn and implement basic animal training protocols
• Acquire public speaking experience

Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Assist biologists with daily duties and projects, with a focus on routine cleaning tasks
• Maintain habitats and back areas at AZA standards of cleanliness
• Prepare daily diets for various species
• Contribute to goal-based animal enrichment programs
• Engage with guests along the exhibit path, providing information about our animals
• Deliver microphone presentations emphasizing the conservation of ambassador animals

Qualifications:

• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
• Ability to stand/walk for 3+ hours at a time
• Self-motivated
• Detail-oriented with the ability to work independently

Time Commitment:

• 24 hours per week
• Schedule will be three 8-hour days per week
• Days of the week will be determined based on scheduling needs

This internship is unpaid and complies with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Interns must make their own accommodation and transportation arrangements.

We are not currently accepting applications.

Position Summary

The Florida Aquarium’s Wetlands/Animal Care internships provide a comprehensive and educational experience, specializing in Florida’s freshwater and brackish habitats. Interns will learn the basics of managing systems and habitats in this gallery, which includes a free-flighted aviary, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Assist biologists with habitat maintenance, feeding, and bird pans
• Prepare and feed diets
• Maintain habitat cleanliness and conduct regular maintenance
• Assist in animal encounters and handling

Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of aquarium husbandry, marine vertebrate, and invertebrate biology
• Must be college sophomore or higher, up to 6 months’ post-graduate
• Flexibility in working weekends and holidays
• Ability to lift 30 lbs
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time
• Ability to work in tight spaces, climb ladders, and walk/stand for extended periods of time
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently

Time Commitment:

• 16-24 hours per week
• Flexibility in working weekends and holidays

This internship is unpaid and complies with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Interns must make their own accommodation and transportation arrangements.

We are not currently accepting applications.

Position Summary

The Florida Aquarium’s Fish and Invertebrate (FIN) internship offers a comprehensive and educational experience within our FINs team. Interns will acquire fundamental husbandry skills in managing habitats filled with a variety of fish, syngnathids, and invertebrates around the world. Additionally, the team specializes in the training and care of large bony fish and elasmobranchs in our two biggest reef habitats.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the expectations and standards of habitat maintenance in an AZA-accredited aquarium
• Recognize and operate common life support components used to maintain marine habitats
• Describe appropriate water quality parameters, cleanliness practices, and their impacts on animal health and welfare

Responsibilities (incuding but not limited to):

• Assist biologists with habitat maintenance, feeding, and training

Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of aquarium husbandry: marine vertebrate and invertebrate biology
• Must be college sophomore or higher up to 6 months’ post-graduate
• Ability to lift at least 30 lbs
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time
• Ability to work in tight spaces, climb ladders, and walk/stand for extended periods of time
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently

Time Commitment:

• 16-24 hours per week
• Flexibility in working weekends

This internship is designed to provide valuable hands-on experience at an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited, world-class facility. The Florida Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. This internship is unpaid and complies with the Fair Labor Standard Act.

We are not currently accepting applications.