Wildlife Images Internship Program

Internships at Wildlife Images are an excellent way to gain valuable experience in the professional fields of wild animal care, veterinary medicine, or environmental education. While the internship, like the one offered at Wildlife Images, is unpaid, you can gain priceless experience to put to use when looking for a paid position in the future. These internships are available to college students, recent high school graduates, or anyone looking to gain some experience in any of these fields. (Must be at least 18 years of age to apply.) The internship positions are awarded through an application and interview process. Application instructions are listed below.

At this time, we only accept interns during our “busy” season. Our busiest time, and our time of greatest need, is May through mid-September. Summer internships last for a minimum of 8 weeks (at 40 hours a week). Deadline for application for summer internships is March 1.

Wildlife Images utilizes interns in multiple areas of our daily operations, so that they can explore and experience as much as possible. We here at Wildlife Images are accustomed to working wherever we are needed and invite our interns to do the same.

Interns will have the opportunity to participate in wildlife rehabilitation, which entails working in the clinic alongside animal care staff, assessing, treating and caring for sick, injured and/or orphaned wildlife.  Furthermore, interns will have the opportunity to assist Animal Care staff in the daily maintenance and husbandry of both rehabilitating and permanent animals housed at the facility.

As an intern you will assist the Animal Care staff with daily treatments for rehabilitating animals and any medical procedures needing to be performed on our resident animals. Duties include, but are not limited to, administering medications, assisting with x-rays, collecting lab samples, admitting new patients, applying bandages and splints, feeding and fostering orphaned wildlife, and of course, cleaning.  Furthermore, interns assist animal care staff in the daily maintenance and husbandry of both rehabilitating and permanent animals housed at the facility.  Duties include, but are not limited to, diet preparation, cleaning, feeding and fostering orphaned wildlife, stocking supplies, and laundry. Our resident animals also receive daily enrichment activities and interns in this area are largely responsible for providing the activities, as well as developing and implementing new enrichment activities. 

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern is ideally a veterinary technician student, or recently graduated veterinary technician, or a pre-veterinary student (We do not have a veterinarian on staff, so those needing experience working one on one with a veterinarian should seek internship opportunities elsewhere), and/or individuals interested in a possible career as a zookeeper, or are just interested in learning more about what is involved in caring for a large number of North American wildlife species in captivity .

This internship is designed for those who have acquired some medical knowledge and would like to explore providing medical care for non-domestic animals and gaining experience in the field of wildlife veterinary medicine.  It is also geared towards individuals interested in wildlife husbandry, so you get a well rounded experience while being here with us at Wildlife Images!

Why Should I Intern At Wildlife Images?
Although our internships are unpaid, we are able to offer some wonderful benefits, including:

Professional Advancement

Like most internships, you will gain priceless experience in your field of interest. While interning at Wildlife Images, you will have the chance to develop and apply new skills while working side by side with staff. You will have the opportunity of ‘getting to know’ our amazing resident animals and learn more about native wildlife. Aside from being a great addition to your resume, you will also have the chance to receive letters of recommendation from professionals in the field.

Lodging

Wildlife Images has housing available on-site for just $25.00 per week. The guesthouse located at the facility is a historic home, built in the early 1900′s, and set amongst fruit trees in a beautiful wooded area. The guesthouse has a kitchen and laundry facilities available for intern use. Interns are responsible for providing their own food and cleaning the facilities used. Linens and towels are provided.

Location

We are located in Southern Oregon, approximately 12 miles from the town of Grants Pass, with a population of about 23,000. So, depending on your perspective, it can be considered rural. Grants Pass has shopping, movie theaters and restaurants, however, so civilization isn’t far away! There is no public transportation in our area, but accommodations may be made with staff and volunteers so interns can get to the grocery store or run other essential errands if they do not have their own transportation.

Recreation

Southern Oregon, especially the Rogue Valley, is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. We are located less than a mile from the beautiful Rogue River, and there are two other scenic rivers, the Applegate and Illinois, a short distance from us. They offer awesome rafting and kayaking, great swimming, and world-famous salmon and steelhead fishing. Grants Pass is also nestled in densely wooded mountains, full of hiking trails, mountain biking, wildlife, and amazing plant life. Approximately 30 minutes west are the Oregon Caves, and the beautiful, rugged Pacific Ocean is only an hour and a half from Wildlife Images.