Learn about a wide variety of different taxa, focused mostly on Ambassador Animals. Almost all the animals in this area travel with our education programs so it is a great opportunity to get up close and hands on with the widest variety of any collection at our zoo ( we have over 100 animals between the two areas and everything from invertebrates and fish to mammals and birds). We are also the area that gives the most opportunities for our teen program and docents to share the mission, so the people skills learned in our space are beyond compare!
Primary Conservation Track: – we are all about spreading awareness! People need to learn to care about animals at a young age to grow into conservation minded adults, so we do everything we can to get kids (and adults) involved in all aspects of our animal care. This is also the only area of the zoo that guests can see retired individuals from our two breeding programs here at CMZ. We have both a black footed ferret and wyoming toads on display in the Loft.
Animals include: invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and even some koi fish. If it’s small enough to travel in the ZOOMobile, we often have it.
Things to note (Loft): Mainly indoors, although be prepared with layers for outdoor activities. Very guest interaction heavy area. Shifts are from 8am-5pm. Always bring a water bottle. Interns will have an opportunity to work in both Loft and BBY during their internship.
Things to note (BBY): Mainly outdoors, be prepared for weather. Very guest interaction heavy area. Shifts are from 8am-5pm. Always bring a water bottle and sunscreen. Interns will have an opportunity to work in both Loft and BBY during their internship.
Learn about a wide variety of different taxa, focused mostly on African species. With this amount of variety there will be ample opportunity to gain knowledge about the many species and many aspects of being an animal keeper. In addition to the eclectic African species we have Rocky Mountain goats and mountain tapir in this area.
Primary Conservation Track: – CMZ supports Vulpro, an African Vulture conservation organization; learn about this impactful conservation organization in South Africa and what you can do to help vultures!
Animals include: Grant’s zebra, meerkats, Colobus monkeys, rock hyrax, Red River hogs, African Cape porcupine, Griffon vultures, ground hornbills, guinea fowl, African grey parrot, African spurred tortoises, leopard tortoise, Rocky Mountain goats and mountain tapir.
Things to note: Muck boots are recommended, most of your responsibilities will take place indoors, but be prepared with layers of clothing. Shifts are from 8am-5pm. Always bring a water bottle.
Learn all about the world’s tallest mammal, the giraffe, and their only living family member, the okapi. Although this area also houses African Lions, interns will primarily work in the Giraffe Barn. Through this internship there is an opportunity to see how the giraffe tower are trained on a daily basis and how that training is beneficial to their daily husbandry and care. CMZ is known for its world class care of these incredible animals.
Primary Conservation Track: – CMZ works in Uganda and Kenya with Giraffe Conservation Foundation and through our Quarters for Conservation program has funded many conservation efforts for the giraffe. Learn more about how you can help save this iconic African species!
Animals include: giraffe and okapi.
Things to note: Very physically demanding, requires muck boots. This area can be dusty from sand and works with alfalfa, hay, and fresh cut tree branches – sometimes a mask and sleeves are helpful. Shifts are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Always bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
Learn more about the world’s largest land mammal as well as the critically endangered black rhino. This internship has a strong emphasis on the extensive care that the animals receive on a daily basis. Working with these animals is physically demanding and also very rewarding! Being highly intelligent animals, it is important that we keep our elephants busy and their minds engaged; this internship offers a chance to see how our keepers achieve this goal through diet prep, training, and enrichment.
Primary Conservation Track: – Tsavo Trust is a conservation organization in Kenya that CMZ is supporting through our elephant & rhino feeding experience as well as through our Quarters for Conservation program. Learn more about the work they do during your internship.
Animals include: African elephant and black rhino.
Things to note: Very physically demanding and fast paced area, requires muck boots. This area is primarily hands off on the animals in the elephant barn but you will have the opportunity to learn a lot about training and enrichment. Shifts are from 8am-5pm. Always bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
Learn about animals that currently, or historically, live in the Rocky Mountains as well as a variety of cat species that roam the mountains of Asia. This unique opportunity will enable you to learn more about the species that live right in your backyard. Since many of these species are native you will find yourself working in all different weather conditions.
Primary Conservation Track: – CMZ supports the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA); opportunities to learn more about their work in Russia and China throughout your internship. You will also learn about North American species and the threats that they face, as well as what we can do to help these species in our own backyards.
Animals include: mountain lions, Canada lynx, moose, Mexican wolves, grizzly bears, North American river otters, bald eagles, wood ducks, North American porcupines, red-tailed hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Amur tigers, Amur leopards and snow leopards.
Things to Note: Interns will have limited contact with dangerous animals, but will be able to participate in diet and enrichment preparation, maintaining enclosures, and observing animal training sessions with many of the animals (Mexican wolves are managed in a hands-off capacity and do not participate in training). Most work takes place outside no matter what the weather is like, be prepared for weather daily. Shifts are from 8am-5pm. Always bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
Learn about primates, from the tiny golden-lion tamarins to the large great apes! Being highly intelligent animals, it is important that we keep our primates busy and their minds engaged; this internship offers a chance to see how our keepers achieve this goal through diet prep, training, and enrichment.
Primary Conservation Track: – Palm oil plantations affect many species in Asia. CMZ is a member of The Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO); learn about how you can support sustainable palm oil production.
Animals include: Western lowland gorilla, Bornean orangutan, Sumatran orangutan, white-cheeked gibbon, golden lion tamarin, naked mole rats.
Things to note: Working with great apes and primates, our interns are hands off with these animals and mostly engage in preparing enclosures, diets, enrichment, etc. Interns are able to build relationships and get to know the primates through other interactions. Shifts are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Always bring a water bottle.
This area of the Zoo gives a great opportunity to learn about some of our more “aquatic” residents. Both our hippos and penguins live in large pools and this presents unique cleaning and management challenges. This area provides you with a wide diversity of animal taxa to work with in a small collection of animals.
Primary Conservation Track: – Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). A seabird rescue center located in South Africa.
Animals include: Nile hippos, ring-tailed lemurs, African penguins, pink-backed pelicans, warthog, East African crowned cranes, Von der Decken’s hornbill and guinea pigs.
Things to Note: Muck boots are recommended. Shifts are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Always bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
Learn how to care for marsupials, birds, and reptiles in this area. The reptile building is designed with the goal of helping people overcome fears of reptiles, and through its unique design and the layout of the area, interaction with the public is key to this internship.
Primary Conservation Track: – Help guests of the Zoo understand why reptiles are important and what we can do to protect them in the wild. This area has many opportunities for guest interaction and developing skills that will help engage the public, an essential skill set for every aspiring animal care professional.
Animals include:
Australia – Matschie’s tree kangaroo, red-necked wallaby, emu, budgerigar, cockatiels, princess parrot and White’s tree frog.
Scutes Family Gallery – Variety of non-venomous snakes and lizards, including but not limited to, Burmese pythons, variety of king snakes & rat snakes, red tegu, American alligator, as well as a variety of turtle & tortoise species.
Things to Note: Most of your time will be spent indoors in a building with higher than normal humidity and heat. Shifts are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Always bring a water bottle.
Learn about a wide variety of different taxa, focused mostly on Ambassador Animals. Almost all the animals in this area travel with our education programs so it is a great opportunity to get up close and hands on with the widest variety of any collection at our zoo ( we have over 100 animals that have the potential to go on programs throughout and outside the zoo).
Primary Conservation Track: – we are all about spreading awareness! People need to learn to care about animals at a young age to grow into conservation minded adults. So we focus on engaging kids (and adults) based on their own interests in order to keep interactions fun and informative.
Animals include: A wide variety including; invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.
Things to Note: Mainly indoors, although be prepared with layers for outdoor activities. Very guest interaction heavy area. Shifts are from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. on W & F, and then 9:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. on TH. Always bring a water bottle. Interns will have an opportunity to work in both Loft and BBY during their internship.
Commissary:
Have you ever wondered about what goes into ensuring that the animals at the Zoo have everything they need to be happy, healthy, stimulated and enriched? The specific needs of each animal and area are as unique as the needs of the keepers who care for them. Cleaning supplies, animal food, and enrichment are just a few things to keep track of here. The Commissary team is a key position at every Zoo and is a great way to learn about a variety of species needs.
In the commissary role, you will gain knowledge of the dietary needs of our animal collection, why it matters, and how we resource safe and sustainable food. You will also have a good understanding of budgeting, health codes, nutrition science and the requirements Zoos must follow to be compliant with USDA and AZA standards.
Things to Note: This shift is from 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. This area handles food and nutrition for all animals in our collection. This includes handling and preparing a variety of meats for our carnivores. Time will be spent preparing and then delivering food from a Zoo vehicle as well as assisting in hay deliveries. Always bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
