Internship Program

The Zoo is seeking dependable, hardworking college students interested in the fields of animal care, education, horticulture, or research. Interns will gain valuable experience with zoological careers by training alongside professional zoo educators, scientists, and husbandry staff.

Interns will receive a stipend with housing options sponsored by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. Selected interns will be given the option of a $3,000 stipend without housing OR a $1,000 stipend including UALR dorm housing. Transportation is the responsibility of the intern.

The 2026 summer internship term will begin with orientation on Friday May 29^th, 2026, continuing through the end of July. End dates may be no earlier than July 24^th and no later than July 30^th without approval.

To Apply

Click the link under the internship description that matches the opportunity you’re interested in.

Applicants must submit all of the following documents to be considered:

Online application with attached:
- Resume
- Letter of interest including dates of availability (please include any prior obligations and time off requirements)
- School transcript (may be unofficial)

Deadline for summer 2026 applications is Monday March 2^nd at 11:59PM

For questions not answered by this webpage e-mail: kneal@littlerock.gov

Zoological Research Internship

The Little Rock Zoo Research Intern will participate in on-grounds behavioral and wellness research projects. Duties will include conducting literature reviews, creating behavioral ethograms, documenting animal behavior, creating visualizations of data, running statistical analyses, and presenting results both oral and written. Training will be provided. Interns will also be expected to be able to speak to the public about their work in a professional manner and at an appropriate level. Previous experience in research or animal behavior is helpful but not required.

Suitable candidates should be comfortable interacting with people and standing (or sitting) outdoors in the Arkansas heat for extended periods of time. Interns will also learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer. Due to the nature of this internship, the ideal candidate will be self-motivated and skilled at managing their time with minimal supervision. This internship is appropriate for college students or recent graduates who have not yet completed any graduate school training. Students currently enrolled in graduate school for biology or zoology, or those who hold a Master’s in biology, zoology, or a related field will not be considered.

Please note, this is not an animal care internship. Intern candidates should understand that they will not interact directly with animals, and all observations will take place from areas that are accessible to the public. The intern will be expected to provide their own laptop with Wi-Fi capabilities for the duration of the summer. There may be an opportunity to be a part of a long-term behavior, wellness, or cognition study, depending on the interest of the intern. The use of AI, during the application process or in the intern’s written work over the summer, is strictly prohibited.

Minimum Qualifications and Additional Requirements:

College student or recent graduate majoring in biology, zoology, or other related field
Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
Up-to-date vaccinations, recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation will be required on the first day of the internship term.
Able to work 36-40 hours per week for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks beginning the week of May 31st (minimum 280 hours completed).
Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check.
Available to attend Intern orientation on May 29^th – Orientation is Mandatory.

Apply for the Zoological Research Internship

Horticulture Internship

The Little Rock Zoo Horticulture Intern learn about plant identification, exhibit design, and beautification projects while assisting our landscaping team with plant, greenhouse, and grounds maintenance projects. Suitable candidates should be comfortable interacting with zoo guests and supervising volunteers. Interns should be prepared to work outdoors in the Arkansas heat for extended periods of time and need to be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. Interns will also learn about zoo management and animal wellness topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.

Please note, this is not an animal care internship. Intern candidates should understand that they will not interact directly with animals, and all observations will take place from areas that are accessible to the public. Those with an interest in animal husbandry may find the Animal Care Internship to be a more suitable option.

Minimum Qualifications and Additional Requirements:

College student or recent graduate majoring in biology, horticulture, or other related field
Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
Recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation of a negative TB test must be provided at or before orientation.
Able to work 36-40 hours per week for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks beginning the week of May 31^st (minimum 280 hours completed).
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check.
Available to attend Intern orientation on May 29^th – Orientation is Mandatory.

Apply for the Horticulture Internship

Conservation Education Internships

Little Rock Zoo’s Conservation Education department is looking for highly motivated individuals to join our summer internship program. Interns will gain experience in program development and facilitation while exploring best practices in guest engagement, interpretation, and conservation messaging as it relates to wildlife and environmental topics.

Interns will assist staff with Zoofari day camp, early childhood programs, awareness day events, ambassador animal presentations and other educational experiences. Candidates applying for this internship should be comfortable interacting with diverse audiences, presenting in front of crowds, and enjoy working with children. Tasks may require some strenuous activity, so candidates should be in good health and be able to apply safe working practices. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.

Conservation Education Interns will have three learning tracks available to choose from as their primary focus during their summer:

Early learners and nature play
Program evaluation
Community and partnership-based programs

Please be prepared to discuss your interests during the interview process.

This is not a keeper internship and animal interaction will be limited. Those with an interest in animal husbandry may find the Animal Care Internship to be a more suitable option.

Commitments:

Available to attend Intern orientation on May 29^th – Orientation is Mandatory
Able to work 36-40 hours per week for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks beginning the week of May 31^st (minimum 280 hours completed). Available to work weekends and holidays

Minimum Qualifications:

Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic
Ability to work in outdoor conditions and be comfortable navigating uneven terrain
Comfortable working in a team setting and taking on individual tasks and responsibilities
College student or graduate majoring in education, biology, or a related field
Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
Ability to safely lift up to 50lbs, or ask for assisted two-person carry
Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check.
A recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date) Documentation of a negative TB test must be provided at or before orientation.

Apply for the Conservation Education Internship

Animal Care Internships

Little Rock Zoo animal care interns work alongside the zoo’s animal keepers learning the ins and outs of animal husbandry in a zoological setting. Tasks may include but are not limited to feeding, cleaning, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, and public speaking. These duties include some strenuous activity so candidates should be in good health, capable of lifting up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Suitable candidates must be positive and patient with well-developed observational skills and work ethics. Weekly schedules may vary so interns must be flexible; any possible conflicts must be mentioned prior to the acceptance of the position. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal wellness topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.

Minimum Qualifications & Additional Requirements:

College student or recent graduate majoring in education, conservation, biology, or other related field
Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
Capable of lifting 50 lbs
Recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation of a negative TB test must be provided at or before orientation.
Available to work weekends and holidays
Able to work 36-40 hours per week for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks beginning the week of May 30^th (minimum 280 hours completed).
Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check
Available to attend Intern orientation on May 29^th – Orientation is Mandatory
Covid-19 vaccination is recommended; masks may be required when working with susceptible species.

Animal Care Internship Types:

Ambassador Animal Care Internship
- Species in the Ambassador Animal area include African penguin, bald eagle, spur-thigh tortoise, opossum and a large variety of other small mammals, birds of prey, and reptiles. Additionally, interns may participate in the Zoo’s onsite educational programs, off-site programming, and media appearances.
Carnivore Internship
- Carnivore interns will shadow carnivore keepers learning the husbandry of a wide variety of carnivores with an emphasis on safety. Species in this internship: big and small cats, sloth bears, otters, canids, and misc small mammals.
Herpetology Internship
- Interns in this department will learn about the husbandry and care of a large variety of reptiles and amphibians, and will assist with daily care, conservation-based programs, and educational opportunities for our visitors. Species include American alligator, Komodo dragon, large tortoises, and a variety of venomous and nonvenomous snakes, turtles, frogs, fish, and invertebrates. Interns will learn about safe handling techniques for all species; however, interns will not be directly handling venomous animals.
Hoofstock and Birds Internship
- Hoofstock and Birds interns will learn the daily routines and care practices for wide range of species including domestic farm animals, tropical birds, and small and large hoofstock. These Interns will be exposed to the Asian elephant program and daily routine, however direct experience with the elephants will be limited. Species in this internship also include black rhino, plains zebra, giant anteater, red river hogs, lorikeet, ostrich, plus a variety of free flight tropical birds, domestic farm animals, and more.
Primates Internship
- Primate interns will learn the husbandry practices specific to primates though shadowing primate and great ape keepers and assisting with their daily routines. Species in this internship include great apes, lesser apes, and various species of monkey and prosimians.