Wildlife Conservation Society

Title

Animal Care Intern - Spring 2026

Department

CPZ- ANIMAL EXHIBITS

Location

Central Park Zoo

Job Description

Animal Care Intern - Spring 2026

Location: Central Park Zoo

Department: Animal

Duration: Spring 2026- February- early May; 12 weeks

Schedule: 24-40 hours (3-5 days) per week; 8:30am – 5:30pm on weekdays and 9:00am – 6:00pm on weekends

Stipend: $1100-$1,900 (varies depending on # of days per week) to be paid as one lump sum upon successful completion of the position, less applicable taxes.

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be received by December 15th, 2026; the position may be filled before the deadline. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Overview:

The Animal Care Internship at the Central Park Zoo (CPZ) provides an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing zoo, biology, veterinary or conservation careers. The goal of this internship is to provide hands-on education and training in animal husbandry. CPZ interns are involved in many aspects of animal care including exhibit and enclosure maintenance, diet preparation, animal observation, animal handling (based on experience), and enrichment. CPZ interns will be assigned to a specific area to work in at the Tisch Children’s Zoo, Tropics and Polar areas. Interns will be invited to join in professional lectures and training sessions and also have the opportunity to learn about other career opportunities at the zoo. Many of our full-time zookeepers completed an internship prior to beginning their careers at the Central Park Zoo. Working with animals is physically demanding, and therefore employees are subjected to a variety of physical demands and environmental factors; the work is demanding, but extremely rewarding.

Learning Outcomes:

• Interns will learn daily husbandry and care routines for collection animals including how to prepare diets, identify different species in the collection and their natural history, clean enclosures and exhibits,
• Interns will learn how to perform behavioral observations and record them
• Interns will learn how to effectively answer questions about the zoo from the public
• Animal care interns will occasionally have the opportunity to observe vet rounds if possible but on a limited basis

Qualification Requirements

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Current college or graduate student enrolled in a degree granting program
• Previous animal experience is preferred but not required.
• Be able to lift 50lbs and perform physically demanding tasks (for example: moving hoses, lifting large bags, bales of hay etc.)
• Be able to work in all weather conditions (rain, snow, heat, cold, etc.)
• Applicants must be mature, reliable and able to work well in a busy and fast-paced team environment.
• Provide own housing and transportation

Opportunity Type

Interns

Salary Range

Stipend: $1,100-$1,900