Animal Care Internship

Internship Description 

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is seeking a full-time, 6 month Animal Care Intern. TCWR is a 501(c)3 non-profit facility and accredited sanctuary by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, providing forever homes for exotic cats, bears, and other exotic animals. TCWR is a NO contact facility, never touching, playing, or petting any of the exotic wildlife in our care. Our interns work very closely with our 7 animal care staff members. Any project the interns work on is assigned by animal care staff. Work is often physically demanding. Applicants must be self-motivated, with high desire to provide the best care available to animals. Applicants must also be observant and able to keep detailed records. The ability to work in a team environment or independently is important. A degree in Zoology, Biology or related field is preferred, but experience with exotic animal husbandry may be considered.

Work in an Accredited Animal Sanctuary- 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.

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.

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.

 $50 weekly food stipend and on-site housing (utilities, internet, washer & dryer, A/C & heat, and TV provided).

Deadline for Applications: May 1st, 2020

Position lasts for six months with option to extend.

Duration: August 15th -February 12th

Location: Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Email your cover letter, resume, and 2 letters of recommendation (required) to: Emily McCormack, Curator, Emily@tcwr.org