Enrichment and Animal Well-being Internship bei Toledo Zoo

Toledo Zoo Animal Behavior and Wellbeing Internship

 Winter 2026

Reports to: Curator of Behavioral Husbandry & Wellbeing

Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

                                January – June 2026

                                4-month or 6-month position

Application Deadline: September 19, 2025

Internship Overview:

Are you passionate about animals and want a role in how behavior, enrichment, research and welfare all come together in a zoo setting? This internship is a hands-on opportunity for college students or recent graduates who are interested in careers in zookeeping, animal behavior, animal welfare, enrichment, or behavioral research.

As an intern, you’ll work closely with the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Wellbeing, the Enrichment Program Manager, and animal care staff. You’ll gain real-world experience in:

• Environmental enrichment – designing and implementing enrichment activities that encourage natural behaviors.
• Animal behavior and welfare – observing animals, assessing their wellbeing, and learning how behavior relates to health and care.
• Training techniques – participating in training sessions and workshops to understand positive reinforcement and behavior shaping.
• Behavioral research – developing and carrying out your own research project, analyzing data, and sharing your findings with animal care teams.

Additional responsibilities may include setting up enrichment in animal habitats, brainstorming new enrichment ideas, helping with animal well-being assessments, and possibly assisting with public interpretation of enrichment and training sessions. This is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of animal care in a professional zoo environment, build valuable skills, and contribute meaningfully to the animals’ welfare.

This is a paid Internship. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, coordinate and implement daily enrichment for several species in the zoo
• Construct, implement, and evaluate new enrichment devices 
• Conduct behavioral observations
• Data entry and analysis
• Assist keepers in setting up exhibits to offer dynamic complex experiences for the animals 
• Participate in animal training sessions

Minimum Requirements:

• Junior or Senior in college or recent graduate
• Major in Biology, Animal Behavior, Psychology, Zoology or other related field
• Strong willingness to learn, positive attitude, team mentality
• Previous hands-on work with animals 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel preferred
• The Toledo Zoo is a drug-free workplace, including marijuana

The Toledo Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, creed, genetic information, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.