Orphan Care Internship
Program Overview
We are looking for devoted and patient individuals to join our orphan care internship. We will accept up to two persons who can ideally commit to volunteering for three months.
60% of our rescues are orphaned animals who have either been abandoned by their mothers or become orphans after their mothers were killed. Raising wild animals is a delicate job, and we follow procedures and take precautionary measures to ensure that the animals get the best opportunity to be raised successfully and released.
As an orphan care intern, you will gain hands-on experience in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. You will be responsible for assisting in feeding the babies throughout the day and on some nights, learning different feeding techniques that are invaluable when it comes to your future career working with wildlife. You will also be expected to assist with cleaning enclosures, medicating orphans, creating and administering enrichment, developing protocols for best practices, and maintaining the nursery organized. You will also get the opportunity to study biological rehabilitation, ethology, and the development of wild behavior in reptiles, mammals, and birds.
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Program Highlights
What's Included
Quick Details
- Summer
- Winter
- Short Term
- Spring
- 1-3 Months
- 3-6 Months
- Fall
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Updated Mar 27, 2026
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Dominical, Costa Rica
Eligible Nationalities
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Solo
Education Levels & Language
- Language
- English
- Spanish
- Education
- University Freshman (1st Year)
- University Sophomore (2nd Year)
- University Junior (3rd Year)
- University Senior (4th Year)
- University 5th Year or More
- Trade/technical/vocational training
- Associate degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Professional degree
- Doctorate degree
Accommodation Options
- Apartment/Flat
- Group living
- Independent living
Application Procedures
- Online Application
- Phone/Video Interview
Age Requirement
18+
Duration
- Summer
- Winter
- Short Term
- Spring
- 1-3 Months
- 3-6 Months
- Fall
Starts At
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all the most common questions about Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary.
Do participants help with night care or clinic duties for animals?
1. Yes. One of your main duties will be to attend to the orphans throughout the night.
You will be expected to wake up multiple times throughout the night, on multiple nights of the week, to help with the feedings.
2. This will depend on your veterinary experience, the workload with the orphans, and if we have any veterinary interns at the time.
3. If there is time available, a:ssist with the rehab center, sanctuary and animal kitchen.
Why is the program designed with a 1.5-month commitment?
The work with the orphans requires a lot of training and practice.
In order to ensure that the orphans receive the best care and the best chance to be raised for release, we prefer having fewer people that know what to do in the nursery that can commit to a longer period of time.
Is there an opportunity to assist with or carry out research?
Yes, you will have the chance to undertake research whilst participating in the orphan care internship.
You can expect to develop protocols and procedures for the orphans, research best practices to raise orphans, look into specific diets, investigate methods to reduce imprinting etc.
Do participants need to speak Spanish or have previous experience?
Fluency in English is required to qualify, while Spanish skills and previous experience are helpful but not required.
Are accommodations included and are days off provided?
1. We will accept two orphan care interns at one time.
2. The volunteer house is just a few steps away from the nursery.
3. Can I live off-s and still participate in the orphan care internship? No. A big part of your work with this internship will be during the night time. You will therefore be expected to live on site in one of the volunteer houses or in the apartment.
4. You will get two days off after every 5 days that you have worked.
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