Internships (12 weeks)

Wildlife Biology Internship

**Now taking applications for Feb 28, 2027 and March 28, 2027. All other start dates are currently full.

Wild Sun Rescue offers a 12-week Wildlife Biology Internship for students, recent graduates, and others seeking meaningful experience in wildlife research, fieldwork, conservation, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

Our Wildlife Biology Internship is focused on applied research that contributes directly to Wild Sun's real-world conservation objectives. Research projects are developed by Wild Sun based on the priorities of our conservation programs, the needs of wildlife in our region, and questions that can help improve rehabilitation, reintroduction, habitat protection, and wildlife management.

Interns are assigned to current Wild Sun research initiatives and contribute to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data with the goal of producing information that can be put to practical use.

Projects vary throughout the year depending on our conservation priorities, active rehabilitation and release programs, seasonal opportunities, species in care, and available field data.

Examples of research areas may include:

• Behavioral observations of animals in rehabilitation and pre-release to help evaluate release readiness and improve rehabilitation protocols

• Post-release monitoring of animals from Wild Sun's reintroduction programs

• Behavioral and ecological studies of wild populations and previously released animals

• Habitat suitability assessments for species being considered for reintroduction

• Mapping natural food sources and other ecological resources for animals in our care and species targeted for release

• Studying habitat use, forest cover, connectivity, and other factors affecting native wildlife

• Collecting and analyzing data on threats to wildlife, including electrocution, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and other causes of wildlife injury or mortality

• Research designed to identify practical solutions to conservation challenges facing wildlife in our region

• Research supporting habitat restoration, reforestation, biological corridors, environmental education, and community-based conservation initiatives

Interns work under the guidance of our Biology Internship Coordinator and may also have opportunities to work with and learn from other members of the Wild Sun team. Depending on the research project, season, and needs of the organization, the internship may involve progress meetings, training, fieldwork, data collection, data analysis, literature research, mapping, behavioral observations, and other activities relevant to current conservation initiatives.

Wild Sun is a working wildlife rescue and conservation organization, and understanding wildlife rehabilitation is an important part of the internship experience. Interns receive training in the fundamentals of wildlife care and may spend approximately 50% of their time supporting the rescue center. Responsibilities may include diet preparation and feeding, enclosure maintenance and cleaning, nursery support, enrichment, and other activities based on the needs of the animals and center.

Our objective is for internship research to have value beyond the internship itself. The data, observations, maps, reports, and recommendations produced through these projects can become part of Wild Sun's broader conservation efforts and may help guide future research, improve rehabilitation and release programs, identify threats to wildlife, and inform conservation action.

Program Fee, Accommodation & Meals

The program fee for the 12-week Wildlife Biology Internship is $2,150.

Interns may choose to live either onsite at Wild Sun or arrange their own accommodation offsite. For interns who choose to stay onsite, we offer heavily discounted accommodation at $60 per week. Rooms are simple and comfortable, with shared bathrooms and access to a shared kitchen where interns can prepare their own meals.

Interns who prefer not to cook may add our meal plan for $198 per week.

For a 12-week internship, the costs are:

• Program fee... $2,150

• Optional onsite accommodation... $60/week, or $720 for 12 weeks

• Optional meal plan... $198/week, or $2,376 for 12 weeks

Interns living onsite may choose accommodation only and prepare their own meals in the shared kitchen, or add the meal plan for additional convenience.

The Wildlife Biology Internship has a minimum commitment of 12 weeks and operates year-round. We are reducing our capacity for this program to 2 participants at a time, with start dates staggered so that there is always one fully trained participant. Email for current availability.

To apply, complete our online application and email your resume to internships@wildsunrescue.org with the subject line "Wildlife Biology Internship."

Testimonials

I had a great time doing the wildlife biology internship at Wild Sun Rescue! My project involved improvements to howler monkey enclosures, to prevent habituation and better prepare them for release. I felt that this experience perfectly complimented my degree in Conservation Biology that I just graduated from, because I was able to be hands-on in the processes of wildlife rehabilitation and repopulation. Not only was I able to contribute to a great cause, I was also able to live and be integrated into the community of a beautiful town in Costa Rica. A definite highlight was being able to meet and connect with likeminded people from around the world. The center had a big emphasis on sustainability and coexisting with wildlife which was reflected throughout the country as well. It was awesome to see widespread use of monkey bridges across roads to prevent electrocution mortalities from power lines! I feel like I’ll take this experience home with me and in the rest of my career as a wildlife biologist. - Jenna Stea, February 2024

I absolutely loved my time at Wild Sun and highly recommend the internship. It was amazing getting to work with the rescue animals, both helping with daily care and for my wildlife biology project. I was able to see how my work was improving the lives of the patients in care and helping conserve the local ecosystem. I learned so much during my internship, not only related to my project, but as a person. It was so fun working in the jungle with the management team, other interns, and volunteers. Everyone I’ve met has been amazing and it was truly an unforgettable three months. - Lina Winiski, March 2024

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at wild sun rescue. I got to live in an environment surrounded by nature contributing, in some way, to the release of local wildlife. All of the staff are truly dedicated to what they do and are a real joy to be around, as were the other volunteers/interns. I believe I have made lifelong friendships and unforgettable experiences from my time here. - Michelle Flatley, April 2024