Animal and Zoological Management

Port Douglas, Australia

• Dates – June 29–July 26, 2025
• Max Enrollment – 18
• Prerequisites – No
• Career Area – Animal and Vet Science

Program Overview

Interns will gain first-hand experience in wildlife handling and care at Wildlife Habitat, a wildlife conservation center in Port Douglas, Australia and participate in a zoo internship led by zookeepers. The wildlife component of the internship includes two weeks of hands-on training led by a Loop Abroad veterinarian to enhance the depth of your experience. You will also have a chance to work with Australian zookeeping staff while getting hands-on, up-close experience with wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, birds and reptiles during two weeks at the zoo. Topics such as conservation, animal nutrition, welfare in captivity, ethograms and enrichments, anatomy and physiology of Australian species, proper handling, physical exams, and zoo management will also be covered. As a note, this program is not targeted at pre-veterinary students and does not guarantee pre-veterinary experience.

Apart from work for the internship, you will also engage in an online course facilitated by a UC Davis faculty. The online coursework provides an opportunity for meaningful reflection during the program. You will spend approximately 35-40 hours per week at your internship and another two hours per week for the online course.

Program provided in partnership with Loop Abroad. 

Program Contacts

• Program Coordinator – Sophia Ferris-Green
• Instructor – Lisa Tell

Program Highlights

• Learn more about the diversity of Australian wildlife.
• Get first-hand experience handling animals, such as kangaroos, koalas, echidnas and more.
• Discover the anatomy, behavior, and care needs of Australian animals from a zoo vet perspective.
• Open to students from all majors.

What Students Are Saying

• “If you love Australian animals, and have any interest in zoo work as a job or career, you will love this internship. Simple as that.”
• “Working with the animals individually was the best because I got to learn a lot about each species and how to care for them.”
• “I loved studying abroad and getting to work with such a diverse range of animals!”

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