The Houston Zoo Summer Internship is a comprehensive program designed to provide undergraduate students with hands-on experience in animal care, conservation, and research. This internship offers a unique opportunity for aspiring veterinarians, animal scientists, and conservation enthusiasts to gain practical knowledge and skills while contributing to the zoo’s mission.

Core Values Embedded in the Internship

The Houston Zoo Summer Internship is deeply rooted in the zoo’s core values, which include:

1. Inclusion: The program aims to provide opportunities for historically underrepresented students in veterinary medicine and animal science professions.
2. Integrity: Interns are expected to maintain high ethical standards and professionalism throughout their experience.
3. Excellence: The program focuses on providing exceptional learning experiences and fostering a culture of excellence.
4. Unity: Interns work closely with various zoo staff, including veterinarians, keepers, and other interns, to ensure a collaborative and supportive environment.
5. Stewardship: The program emphasizes the importance of conservation, sustainability, and responsible resource management.

Expectations and Goals of the Internship Program

The primary goals of the internship program are:

1. Animal Care Experience: Interns gain practical experience in animal husbandry, habitat maintenance, and veterinary procedures.
2. Conservation and Sustainability: Interns learn about and contribute to the zoo’s conservation efforts, including reducing waste, water, and energy use.
3. Guest Engagement: Interns participate in educational activities and interact with visitors to promote wildlife conservation and inspire action.
4. Transferable Skills: Interns develop essential skills such as effective communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving.
5. Academic Credit: Interns can earn up to 6 hours of upper-level elective credit through the University of Houston.

Animal Care Experience

Interns can expect to gain experience in various aspects of animal care, including:

1. Food Preparation: Interns assist in preparing food for the animals.
2. Exhibit Maintenance: Interns help maintain clean and safe exhibits for the animals.
3. Daily and Weekly Cleaning Tasks: Interns participate in daily and weekly cleaning tasks to ensure animal health and well-being.
4. Public Presentations: Interns engage with visitors through educational presentations and activities.
5. Veterinary Procedures: Interns assist veterinarians in various medical procedures and observations.

Application and Contact Information

To apply for the Houston Zoo Summer Internship, students can contact:

1. Dr. Gilly Taylor (Houston Zoo) – [email protected]
2. Phillicea Thomas (Houston Zoo) – [email protected]
3. Dr. W. Anthony Frankino (University of Houston) – [email protected]

Additional Resources

For more information on the Houston Zoo and its programs, visit:

1. Houston Zoo Website: www.houstonzoo.org
2. Houston Zoo Careers: www.houstonzoo.org/about/careers
3. Houston Zoo Teen Programs: www.houstonzoo.org/make-memories/teens

Reference Links

1. Meet Our Summer Conservation Interns: https://www.houstonzoo.org/blog/meet-summer-conservation-interns/
2. Houston Zoo Paid Summer Internship: https://frankino.uh.edu/teaching/houston-zoo-summer-intern/
3. Careers at Houston Zoo: https://www.houstonzoo.org/about/careers

The Houston Zoo Summer Internship is a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in animal care, conservation, and research. With a focus on inclusion, integrity, and excellence, the program provides a supportive and collaborative environment for interns to develop essential skills and contribute to the zoo’s mission. Whether you’re interested in veterinary medicine, animal science, or conservation, this internship offers a valuable learning experience that can help you kickstart your career in the field of wildlife and zoo management.