Zoological Intern, Unpaid - Zoo Keeper MN & Tropics Trail (Minnesota Zoo)
Unpaid Internship: Minnesota Zoo - Minnesota & Tropics Trail Zoo Keeper, Summer 2020
Interns in the Minnesota & Tropics Trail work area acquire foundational skills in animal husbandry. They learn to care for the animals in the MN Zoo’s collections of animals native to Minnesota and tropical species. Interns will learn to prepare diets, maintain sanitary quarters, develop animal enrichment, support and monitor the health of the diverse species in these collections, and interpret them for visitors through demonstrations and presentations.
Interns will work primarily with one of three groups of animals in the Minnesota & Tropics Trail: primates, carnivores, or mammals & reptiles.
Working Conditions:
· Schedule:
o Scheduled between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
o 40 hours/week; 4 days/week; 10 hours/day; 12 weeks
o Schedule may include one weekend day
· Location:
o Primarily indoors at the main Zoo building
· Activity Level:
o Medium to high level of physical activity required, including extensive walking indoors, standing to prepare diets; crouching, bending, stretching, lifting etc. to maintain sanitary and safe exhibit and animal holding spaces
· Animal Husbandry-Collection Interpretation work task distribution:
o Interns in this work area should expect to spend somewhat more time performing tasks associated with animal care (diet preparation and maintaining sanitary conditions) than with public engagement