Are you studying Conservation, Ecosystems, Biology, or Animal-related science? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain experience that will benefit you in your future career.

Forest Animal Rescue (FAR) is a world-renowned, accredited, and respected animal sanctuary. We provide lifetime care to nonreleasable exotic animals, the safe release of wildlife that has been rehabilitated from all over the state, and black bear cub rehabilitation for Florida and surrounding states.

The main sanctuary is on 80 acres of native land in the Ocala National Forest, with other parcels of land restored, managed, and protected for native wildlife release.

We seek individuals who are mature and have the ability to handle a physically demanding workload, full-time hours, and work independently or as a team. Applicants should possess a strong personal work ethic and a high level of integrity.

How much you gain from this opportunity depends on how much you are willing to put into the experience. 

Interns participate in various projects to expand their animal welfare and husbandry knowledge as well as assist with habitat conservation and restoration on land that is used for the safe release of rehabilitated wildlife. When 'soft-release' is needed, interns will also assist in short-term monitoring and providing food/water for native wild animals as they re-adapt to life in the wild.

Habitat conservation and restoration include invasive/exotic plant removal, managing land to prevent wildfire, replanting beneficial native trees, and general maintenance of the native habitat. Animal husbandry includes diet preparation, feeding and medicating, cleaning habitats, operant conditioning, making and providing enrichment for the animals, and other housekeeping tasks.

Interns help care for a variety of species and will work alongside professional caretakers to learn about the various species ranging from big cats to bears, primates, wolves, bats, and more. When working on habitat restoration projects, they will learn the reasons behind what we do and how to accomplish the desired result.

THERE IS A PERMANENT STAFF POSITION AVAILABLE TO THE RIGHT PERSON WHO COMPLETES AN INTERNSHIP WITH US.