Elephant Keeper Internship - Toledo Zoo Elephant Management Program

Elephant Keeper Internship - Toledo Zoo Elephant Management Program

Toledo Zoo Elephant Management Program
Elephant Keeper Internship
(Fall Term)


The Toledo Zoo and its Elephant Management Program has the ability to offer a unique opportunity to individuals that would like to make captive elephant management a career. The zoo has a structured internship program that encompasses many different opportunities throughout the zoo campus.

A participant in the Elephant Keeper Internship Program would work directly with the zoo’s elephants and staff under the direction of the elephant manager. The intern will assist in the daily cleaning of the elephant facilities, preparing the animal enclosures and elephant enrichment. They would be involved in Free, Protected and Confined Contact handling and training techniques. There will be opportunity to learn general husbandry; including foot, skin and tusk care. They will learn techniques to reduce stress, stereotypical behavior, increase activity and fitness. With the zoo’s commitment to elephant reproduction the intern will learn different facets of artificial and natural reproduction. The present age structure of our elephants will allow exposure to developmental stages of a young bull and mother.

The zoo is in the planning phase for a new bull and cow facilities; the experience gained during the process would expand the knowledge of the intern beyond that of many seasoned elephant keepers. Observing any part of the whole planning and construction process will give the intern a better understanding of the requirements for housing, exhibiting and managing elephants.
The internship will run three to five months. Depending upon dates of participation, housing and possible part-time employment may be available. Send cover letter and resume to email address below; deadline for applicants is July 31, 2009.

Fall term will begin September 2009.

For more information please contact:
Don RedFox
Elephant Manager
Toledo Zoo
don.redfox@toledozoo.org

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