This internship is open to high school seniors or juniors who need to participate in a project or community program.  Students must be sponsored by their school and be able to complete a minimum of 80 hours in the program. Internships run throughout the year and the application process is continuous.
 

Interns assist in caring for more than 60 animals in the education collection, primarily reptiles and amphibians. Responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, and keeping track of the animals’ medical records. Interns will also learn animal handling skills in preparation for frequent live animal shows.

Populations of these animals have been declining due to loss of habitat, commercial crab trapping, and being killed by automobiles while in search of a nest site. In conjunction with The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and the Wetlands Institute, the Zoo is raising hatchlings to be returned to their natural habitat, the New Jersey wetlands. Interns care for the animals, maintain water quality, and keep accurate records (the terrapin program is seasonal and may not be in effect year round).
 

Interns increase their animal handling, education and presentation experience by presenting Live Animal Shows and stations.  The formal yet fun atmosphere of the Live Animal Shows allows interns to teach visitors of all ages about reptile adaptations and natural history facts of the animals presented in the show.  The invertebrate stations allow for informal conversations with visitors about adaptations and behaviors exhibited by these unusual animals.

Through formal presentations, informal conversations and research activities, interns will interpret many of the daily activities that take place in the Zoo.  Interns may participate in keeper talks and interpretation of animal feeding and training demonstrations throughout the Zoo.  Interns also staff “Exploration Stations” strategically located throughout the Zoo. Each station is equipped with interactive activities or biofacts (skins, skulls, teeth, etc.) relating to a specific animal and its conservation. Interns encourage visitors to participate, touch, and ask questions that will increase their knowledge of the animals in the Zoo.