Internships

The Ecotourism & Marketing Coordinator Intern is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the sanctuary’s ecotourism projects; marketing and social media promotion; ecotourism partnership development; fundraising events; and volunteer program promotion and coordination. The Ecotourism & Marketing Coordinator Intern will work closely with the Development Manager and the Operations Manager on all responsibilities.

Please download the intern advertisement here for more information and how to apply.

Interns will split their time between the different sections of the organization, including the chimpanzee sanctuary, the education and outreach department, the veterinary department and the administration department.

Interns will learn about and assist with many aspects of chimpanzee husbandry provisioning i.e. cleaning, feeding, enrichment provision, enclosure maintenance and animal welfare assessment. Additionally, interns will actively participate with community education, wildlife sensitization, and reforestation projects on and off site, as well as research and wildlife surveying in surrounding areas and islands.

Please download the intern advertisement here for more information and how to apply.

For students in veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing/technician programs.

Under the supervision of our veterinary staff, interns will learn about chimpanzee medicine including: physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, and pathology; laboratory and diagnostic tests; nutrition; ethology; welfare; anesthesia; preventive medicine; one health medicine; and in some cases surgery. Interns will also learn about handling and restraint such as dart preparing for blow pipes and dart gun. Interns will attend weekly academic discussions and twice monthly presentations (case reports/specific topics relating to the species). Veterinary interns will also assist with other sanctuary tasks as and when required, such as: chimpanzee husbandry (food preparation, den cleaning and enrichment preparation); record keeping; community outreach and education; anti-poaching patrols with forest rangers, research, administration, and maintenance tasks.

Please Note: Veterinary interns are required to have evidence of recent negative HIV and TB testing, and the following vaccinations: Tetanus, Yellow fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, and Polio. Extra vaccinations may be required depending on the country of origin. Vet interns will undergo a 2 week quarantine period before contact with the chimps is allowed. Following that, protective face masks will be provided and must be worn at all times.

Interns will learn about all aspects of sanctuary marketing, promotion and fundraising related to wildlife and habitat conservation. Interns will also develop communication skills by assisting with on-site education activities via leading education sessions and providing guided tours to members of the community and tourists. Interns will assist with community outreach and school education sessions and gain valuable skills in public speaking and providing classroom based and outreach education. Students will visit a number of local community groups and participate in theory based learning tasks as well as practical sessions to gain valuable knowledge of different education and communication methods and approaches. Interns will also gain hands on experience of wildlife rehabilitation theory and practice by volunteering with animal husbandry tasks. These may include preparing animal food, cleaning enclosures, designing and collecting environmental enrichment, assisting with animal introductions, record keeping, general maintenance and various research and data collection tasks.