Facility

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Closing Date

Description

Internship Description
In 1997 TCWR established an internship program for students desiring more experience in the care of exotic big cats and animals. Intern applicants must be college graduates with a degree in Biology or related animal science field preferred, but experience with exotic animal husbandry may be considered. Sixteen positions are opened each internship, and run every 6 months. If you are looking for a full-time internship working around big cats and exotic animals, you just may have found it.

Job Description
Work in a Captive Animal Institution- responsible for daily care of tigers, lions, cougars, black bears, brown bears, leopards, servals, bobcats, a rhesus macaque, and a coatimundi. Duties include: animal husbandry, enrichment, and record keeping of animal behavior.
Prepare and Maintain Animal Housing- maintaining animal and customer safety through daily exhibit checks. Includes routine landscaping, cleaning habitats of underbrush, and providing animal enrichment.
Conduct Educational Information to Visitors- responsible for greeting customers and giving guided tours throughout the facility. Educate the public about each resident species and the direction of the facility’s future.
Prepare Diets and Monitor Feeding- maintain food quality and hygiene standards of produce and meat. Prepare food with consideration to specific dietary needs and monitor every animal’s intake. Keep close records of every animal’s diet and physical health.
Monitor and Maintain Animal Health- maintain daily records of animal behavior and health, identifying abnormal behavior and sign of illness. Administer daily medications. Prepare and maintain quarantine areas for recent rescues.
Restrain and Assist in Moving Animals- assist animal care staff in relocating animals to more appropriate habitats. Follow all safety procedures in loading, unloading, and during transport of animals.
Identify Behavioral Needs and Improve Husbandry- provide approved animal enrichment including environmental and scent enrichment.
Maintain Exhibits and Assist Design- aid in designing and constructing ½-1-acre animal habitats. Maintain exhibits daily and detect/control pets.

Education and Pre-requisites

Our interns work very closely with our 7 animal care staff members. Any project the interns work on is assigned by animal care staff. TCWR is seeking 16 full-time, 6-month animal care interns. Work is often physically demanding. Applicant must be self-motivated, with a high desire to provide the best care available to all animals. Applicants must be observant and able to keep detailed records. The ability to work in a team environment or independently is important. A bachelor’s degree animal science related is preferred, all experience will be considered.

Compensation and benefits

Weekly cash stipend of $50 for living expenses. On-site housing provided which includes heat, air conditioning, utilities, full bath, kitchen, washer & dryer, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and free long distance.

Application instructions

Email resume, cover letter, and 2 letters of recommendation (required) before November 1, 2019 to: Emily McCormack, Curator, Emily@turpentinecreek.org