Enrichment and Animal Well-being Internship

Toledo Zoo • Toledo, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Toledo Zoo Animal Behavior and Wellbeing Internship is a paid, hands-on opportunity for college students or recent graduates interested in careers in zookeeping, animal behavior, animal welfare, enrichment, or behavioral research. The intern works closely with the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Wellbeing, the Enrichment Program Assistant, and animal care staff. The internship provides experience designing and implementing enrichment activities, observing animal behavior and wellbeing, participating in positive-reinforcement training sessions and workshops, and developing and carrying out a behavioral research project. The intern may also help set up enrichment in animal habitats, brainstorm enrichment ideas, assist with animal well-being assessments, and support public interpretation of enrichment and training sessions.

The schedule is 28–35 hours per week from January through June 2027, for a four- or six-month position. The application deadline is November 17, 2026. The position reports to the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry & Wellbeing.

Requirements

• Be a college junior or senior, or a recent graduate.
• Major in Biology, Animal Behavior, Psychology, Zoology, or another related field.
• Show a strong willingness to learn, a positive attitude, and a team mentality.
• Have previous hands-on experience with animals.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and implement daily enrichment for several species in the zoo.
• Construct, implement, and evaluate new enrichment devices.
• Conduct behavioral observations.
• Enter and analyze data.
• Assist keepers in setting up exhibits to offer dynamic, complex experiences for the animals.
• Participate in animal training sessions.
• Develop and carry out a behavioral research project, analyze its data, and share findings with animal care teams.
• Assist with animal well-being assessments and, possibly, public interpretation of enrichment and training sessions.

Benefits

• Paid internship.
• Access to PNC EarnedIt, a voluntary benefit that lets employees access a portion of earned wages before payday, including pay for hours worked that same day.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed