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The marine mammal department oversees the daily management and care of the Zoo’s Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and northern sea otters. Daily dolphin shows are presented in the Dolphin Stadium. These shows emphasize the natural abilities and behaviors of dolphins and the importance of marine life and ocean conservation.
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Approximately 40 hours/week for a 12 week period with days off usually falling between Monday through Friday. College is credit required.
Responsibilities for the Marine Mammal Internship include preparing diets, assisting in cleaning kitchen and animal areas, being involved in behavioral enrichment, and assisting the staff during dolphin presentations. In addition, marine mammal interns are instructed in various areas of marine mammal management and given weekly quizzes on a particular subject. Interns are asked to memorize part of the Dolphin Show script so they can become comfortable and have experience on a microphone, and they are required to complete a 2-3 page paper on a topic of marine mammal conservation, species, or environmental issue that interests them. Interns are also required to design a toy for the dolphins. The marine mammal intern supervisor meets with each intern to discuss career opportunities in the field and offer advice regarding next steps once their internship is completed. |
Duties
to include:
- Prepare food for dolphins and otters and daily maintenance of kitchen area
- Assist in cleaning animal, staff and kitchen areas
- Interns will be involved in behavioral enrichment for the dolphins
- Work with other interns as a team
- Accurate record keeping
- Assist in developing and implementing a behavioral enrichment project for the dolphins
- Assist with reference work or additional tasks as needed
For more information, please contact:
Internship Coordinator Jill Wallin, Human
Resources
13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124
E-mail: jill.wallin@state.mn.us
Phone: 952.431.9219
Toll-free: 800.366.7811 ext. 219
Fax: 952.431.9211
TTY: 800.627.3529
or
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