Animal Care Internships
Animal Care Internships
The Florida Aquarium Animal Care internships offer a well-rounded, educational experience working in a variety of areas. Internship opportunities may include assisting biologists with daily husbandry duties, daily food preparation and feeding, animal training and guest interactions. Available opportunities may include:
Position Summary
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.
Position Summary
The Florida Aquarium’s Quarantine Internship provides a comprehensive, hands-on educational experience with our Quarantine team. This internship is primarily focused on animal husbandry, with interns developing foundational skills in managing aquatic systems and animal habitats, including health monitoring, water quality management, feeding and nutrition, record keeping, and quarantine protocols. Students seeking a more clinically focused, veterinary-centered experience (particularly veterinary medicine students) are encouraged to apply to our Veterinary Externship Program.
Learning Objectives
- Understand and apply quarantine biosecurity protocols
- Learn to compare and contrast terrestrial quarantine procedures vs. aquatic quarantine procedures.
- Learn the importance of water quality in a quarantine system.
Responsibilities (including but not limited to)
- Feed animals and record food consumption
- Perform water changes and siphon tanks.
- Clean enclosures and equipment.
- Conduct water testing.
- Adhere to biosecurity protocols.
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.
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.
Learning Objectives
- Overview of care and husbandry of wetlands animals and systems.
- Learn to identify animals in wetlands.
- Learn basic care, training, and enrichment techniques for birds, reptiles, and aquatics.
- Gain knowledge of water quality parameters relevant to aquatic habitats.
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.
