Elephant Internships
Internships/Volunteer
The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN is currently
accepting applications for six-week internships. The
intern positions are not paid positions. We provide
housing and interns are responsible for their own
food and transportation. We require each intern to
make a $275 refundable deposit and a $25
non-refundable cleaning deposit. The $275 refundable
deposit will be returned when the intern completes
her/his entire internship commitment.
Interns are chosen for their field of study, experience
and future goals. Internships are awarded to students
studying veterinary science, zoology, wildlife
management, and related fields, as well as to individuals
drawn to the Sanctuary for spiritual reasons. Each
prospective intern must visit the Sanctuary for a workday
and interview before being accepted into the intern
program. We recognize the distance many interns must
travel to fulfill this requirement, but we have found this
prerequisite essential.
Interns are scheduled to work five days per week. All
interns are required to work weekends. The day begins
at 8:00 a.m. in the elephant barn with keeper duties.
Interns are here to learn the mechanics and our
philosophy of elephant care. Interns assist our head
keeper in all aspects of daily care, cleaning and
feeding. The afternoon schedule varies. Most days the
interns help with facility projects: painting corrals,
digging post holes, construction projects, and elephant
projects. Please note: Intern duties are labor intensive.
You must be in good physical condition.
At the Sanctuary, observation is the key to learning. We
encourage silence while in the presence of elephants.
This quiet space allows the interns to develop their
observation skills. Our interns are allowed no direct
physical contact or verbal interactions with the elephants.
Interns are never left unsupervised with the elephants.
If we accomplish only one thing with our interns, we hope
to instill a respect for elephants and for all life. We
encourage our interns to quiet their voice and learn through
their eyes, ears, heart, soul and mind.
If you are interested in applying, please send your resumé,
availability, and three letters of recommendation to:
The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald
Internship Program
P. O. Box 393
Hohenwald, TN 38462
or email joanna@elephants.com
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Internships
A unique opportunity now exists to apply for an Internship at
the only elephant sanctuary to accept any elephant. By
joining this program you can develop skills which are vital
in the professional world of elephant management.
Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the
foothills of the Ozark Mountains in 330 acres of beautiful
Arkansas countryside, in the heart of the southern United
States, offers an opportunity for animal people of various
experience and interest to apply for a position as an
Elephant Care Intern.
Under the professional guidance of the Sanctuary's two
founding Directors, Scott and Heidi Riddle, the successful
applicants will work with African and Asian Elephants of
both genders and various ages.
The sanctuary has gained worldwide acclaim for its research
and education, as well as its practical work involving
elephant care.
The Internship begins on a one-month basis, with a review
and possible extension to this time taking place in the
third week of the Internship. However, applicants wishing
to seek a longer period of Internship will be considered
and must indicate so at the time of application.
Accommodation in a modern dormitory is offered, and the
use of kitchen facilities is supplied.
Applicants are requested to pay a $100 Internship fee
($50 non-refundable administration fee and $50 to be
paid back to the Intern at the end of the full month).
Spaces are limited and applicants need to be at least
18 years of age.
Further details and an application package are available by
contacting the sanctuary at:
Telephone: (501) 589-3291
Fax: (501) 589-2248
E-mail: elephantsanctuary@alltel.net
