Interns

Interning with Quito Zoo can be a great way to gain experience for your future career, for example as a zookeeper, biologist, veterinarian or animal nutritionist. Potential interns from abroad should note that at least intermediate-level Spanish language skills are necessary for most intern positions.


Depending on your university, some of the Zoo volunteer opportunities may be suitable for interns. Potential interns from overseas can email us at Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spambots. Es necesario activar Javascript para visualizarla .

Current intern opportunities:

Field research (Andean condor): Volunteering as a field biologist on the Andean condor conservation project may count as an internship for the purposes of some degrees, for example in biology, conservation biology or environmental studies. Basic Spanish is an advantage, though not vital. Minimum age 20, minimum 1 year of university-level studies in biology or a similar subject. Download the Condor Conservation Volunteer 2012 information pack for more information and to see if it will meet your university's internship requirements. Note that internships on this project are for either 4 or 5 weeks. Group internships can be arranged, with or without your university professor.

Biologists: Volunteer biologists at Quito Zoo might be able to class their volunteer placement as an internship, depending on the requirements of the university.  Volunteers with at least one year of university studies in biology can work with the Zoo's biologist on tasks such as developing, implementing and evaluating behavioural enrichment plans for species; researching new arrivals to the Zoo; observing species and developing ethograms and describing the behavioural spectrum of species.  For more information, download the Zoo Biologist Volunteer Information Pack 2012 PDF

Newly-qualified vets may undertake a 24 week placement at Quito Zoo to gain practical experience working with a range of exotic animals and birds.  The Zoo usually has nearly as many animals in quarantine as it does on display, and there are new arrivals every week - rescued from illegal trafficking or confiscated from unsuitable conditions by the environmental police.  To apply, download the Qualified Vet Volunteer Information Pack PDF. 

Veterinary students having completed at least one year of their university studies can apply to volunteer with the Zoo for 4 to 12 weeks and some vet studies courses may consider this suitable as an internship.  For more information, download the Vet Student Volunteer Information Pack PDF

Internships for animal nutritionists are available and details will be published here soon. For further information, email Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spambots. Es necesario activar Javascript para visualizarla .

Interns should note that the number of internships is limited and the availability of a space is not the only factor.

Summer internships in particular tend to book up well ahead, so would-be summer interns are advised to apply in plenty of time.

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