Wildlife Rehabilitation Internships

Wild Instincts is the ONLY wildlife rehab center in Northern WI permitted to treat all native WI species from mice to bears, humming birds to eagles, including threatened & endangered species. The Director of Rehab has more than 35 yrs of professional rehab experience,  has been a driving force for promoting wildlife rehab as a profession and spent a decade as an IWRC Instructor. Our permits generally admit 1000+ animals annually from more than 100 different species.
We offer three different intern sessions: Spring, Summer and Fall.
Vacancies are posted (generally in early to middle January) on Texas A&M Job Board, IWRC Jobline and NWRA Job listings.
Certificate of completion available.

Stipend/Housing · A stipend of $100/wk will be awarded. Shared housing with laundry facilities is provided on-site.
For photos of housing click HERE.

 

Qualifications

Qualifications: (This position may not be suitable for an individual with an auto-immune disorder, who may be pregnant or who may be acutely affected by chronic stress)
Minimum 1 yr college required, 2 yr preferred, with course work in wildlife, biology, animal science, ecology, ornithology, mammalogy, pre-vet or similar Current on tetanus & COVID-19 vaccinations
Have valid driver’s license
Capable of rigorous outdoor work & physically traversing uneven terrain in all types of outdoor conditions
Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
Thrive (or at least are comfortable) in fast-paced work environment with rapid change
Ability to handle physically and emotionally stressful situations
Ability to face urgent, life-or-death situations almost daily
Ability to stay calm & function in the heat of emergency
Ability to handle a demanding workload and long hours
Ability to work independently or as a team Possess a strong personal work ethic and a high level of integrity
Ability to receive correction in a mature manner Ability to organize, set goals, and meet deadlines; attention to detail
Ability to understand and retain detailed information
Professional appearance and demeanor; ability to interact and communicate with the public, law enforcement, veterinarians and others Demonstrated ability to handle diverse, competing tasks independently, efficiently, and accurately; flexibility is a must
Must be able to handle emotional aspects of euthanasia
Eager to learn
Sense of humor a plus! 

Intern Will

Be involved in all aspects of wildlife care from admission to release. This involves substantial animal husbandry responsibilities, limited basic medical work, administrative duties (record keeping and telephone work), and fieldwork involving rescues, releases and transportation of animals.
Day-to-day responsibilities include feeding, doing dishes,  cleaning enclosures, monitoring behavior and enrichment activities, dealing with the public.  Work a 5-day work week, with attempt for 2 consecutive days off (but some days off may not be consecutive) 
Work minimum 12 hr days (8am-8pm) depending on patient load 
Rehabilitation techniques will be taught appropriate to the Intern’s qualifications 
Medical work includes tube feeding, fluid administration, medicating, bandaging, lab work and record keeping, and even the potential for research projects by qualified Interns. 
Gain intensive, hands-on training and experience in the field of wildlife rehabilitation, focusing on animal nutrition, husbandry, feeding techniques, capture and restraint methods, release criteria, captive animal behaviors, and natural history Participate in presenting educational programs to the public. 
Learn from people with decades of professional wildlife rehab experience in all species of native Wisconsin wildlife. 
Quickly learn that animal caretaking is difficult, though rewarding work.
Interns often say that this work is both the most challenging and most rewarding position they have ever had!

“As a summer intern with Wild Instincts I was given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with native Wisconsin wildlife. Through this experience I was able to learn the natural histories, medical terminology, and animal care procedures for many different species of animals. I had an amazing summer working with the best people! I would highly recommend this internship to anyone with wildlife in their future. Mark and Sharon are more than willing to teach you anything you want to know and personalize the experience to your interests and needs. This encounter has shaped my future and helped me narrow down my career path. Wild Instincts ensures interns are included in every step of the rehabilitation process, as well as play a role in releases. From bears to mice, interns are vital to each animal’s care. You will not find a more rewarding and well-rounded experience. Please consider spending your summer in Rhinelander, maybe you’ll even see a Hodag!” ~ Elizabeth H., Summer Intern 2025

“While this internship is intense, it is the best thing I have ever done. I learned just as much about myself as I did about rehab. It’s an experience I will treasure forever, and I will always be grateful to the staff for their patience and willingness to teach!” ~ Clara W., Summer Intern 2025