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Internship Opportunities

The Lemur Conservation Foundation (LCF) is currently offering two Animal Husbandry internships at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve: the Penelope Bodry-Sanders and Mackarness M. Goode Animal Husbandry Internship is from January 1st to June 30th and the second is from July 1st to December 31st. On site housing is provided and interns will receive a $100 per week stipend.

Although these internships are targeted primarily to undergraduate students, graduate students are also welcome. 

If your interest is in conducting research at the reserve, please visit ourResearch at the Reserve page for more information.

Animal Husbandry Internship:

The reserve is currently home to seven different species of lemurs in both semi-free ranging habitats and traditional captive habitats. Interns will gain hands-on experience in the many aspects of maintaining an animal collection and contributing to a conservation mission. Responsibilities include daily care of our growing lemur colony, habitat construction and maintenance, behavioral enrichment, maintaining the cleanliness of lemur shelters, assisting with annual physicals and other duties as needed. The work is challenging, dirty, and frequently unglamorous; interns should expect to work in all weather conditions. Consequently, applicants should be in good physical health, extremely reliable, and dedicated. Please note that the Myakka City Lemur Reserve does not house education program animals and physical contact with the lemurs is not allowed.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain advanced experience in a difficult but highly rewarding field. Interns will have the satisfaction of contributing to the physical and psychological well being of the lemurs housed at the reserve as well as directly contributing to the greater mission of conserving these unique and fascinating primates. The highly trained and experienced staff at LCF will work closely with interns. However, applicants should have some previous animal husbandry experience and at least two years of undergraduate course work in a related field (biology, anthropology, animal behavior, zoology or the like).

Typically, interns will work 40 hours per week and must be willing to work weekends and some holidays. The reserve is remotely located and interns must provide their own transportation to and from the nearest town, 25 miles away. A variety of cultural and entertainment options including state parks, art museums, theaters, zoo and botanical gardens, as well as the beautiful southwest Florida beaches can be found within 40 miles of the reserve.

Important Deadlines:

One applicant will be chosen for each internship. Application materials must be received by November 1, 2008 for applicants to be considered for the Penelope Bodry-Sanders and Mackarness M. Goode Animal Husbandry Internship beginning January 1, 2009. Materials must be received by May 1st, 2009 for the internship beginning July 1, 2009.

Interested candidates should send the following:

- Letter of introduction describing why you are interested in the internship and what you hope to gain from it

- Resume or CV

- Two letters of recommendation, one of which should address previous husbandry experience

- Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)

Send All Materials to the LCF Program Manager:

manager@lemurreserve.org
or
PO Box 249, Myakka City, FL 34251.

Accommodations:

The Lemur Conservation Foundation is proud to offer accommodations on the reserve for visiting interns and researchers. The LCF Researchers' House is equipped with two bathrooms (one handicap accessible), four bedrooms, a full kitchen, a dining area, a washer and dryer, and shared living space. Maximum capacity is eight students. 

Updated 2008-06-04