Sloth Rehabilitation Internship

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DURATION OF INTERNSHIP
About 4 months. See the specific dates on our website.

LOCATION OF INTERNSHIP
The Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR) Headquarters, San Isidro of Heredia, Costa Rica.

THE TOUCAN RESCUE RANCH
Toucan Rescue Ranch is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of Costa Rica's wildlife. Specializing in toucans, sloths, and other native species, the organization is committed to the conservation of biodiversity and the education of the public about the importance of protecting and preserving natural habitats

The Toucan Rescue Ranch is a licenses Costa Rica wildlife rescue facility, Costa Rica foundation
(300667701803) and a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN: 80-0516453).

SLOTH REHABILITATION AND RELEASE PROGRAM
The Toucan Rescue Ranch rescues injured and orphaned sloths that are victims of
electrocution, car accidents, dog attacks, and other incidents. An individual sloth’s
rehabilitation and release depends on its condition and age. Adult sloths with minor injuries will be released directly back into the wild as soon as they’re fully recuperated, while adult sloths with more severe cases (such as amputees) will require a longer recovery.

Orphaned babies will be placed with a specific "grade" in the release program depending on
their age, weight and size, including Preschool, Elementary School,
High School, College, and Graduate School (2+ years). The College and Graduate School phases are located at the Toucan Rescue Ranch’s Release Site, where sloths are kept in soft-release enclosures before being given tracking collars and finally being released into the wild. From this point on, TRR’s Release Site Interns will track released sloths in the forest.

SLOTH REHABILITATION INTERN DESCRIPTION
The Toucan Rescue Ranch is looking for an intern to work with the Toucan Rescue Ranch’s Sloth Team and Toucan Rescue Ranch’s Staff to care for sloths living at the Ranch. The Sloth Rehabilitation Intern collaborates with the other Sloth Rehabilitation Interns, animal husbandry volunteers, the founder, and TRR medical staff to ensure the best possible care is provided for the sloths. The Sloth Intern’s primary responsibilities include feeding, cleaning up after, exercising, taking to the bathroom, and monitoring baby and adult sloths. Additionally, the sloth intern will aid the clinic with procedures, cleaning, and feeding. You will not only be working with sloths. You would be also assisting with all animals received at TRR and animal’s recovery in the clinic.

SLOTH REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES; RESPONSIBILITIES
Activities include:
● Feed adult and baby sloths solid foods
● Potentially assist the Sloth Nanny with syringe-feed milk to baby sloths if needed
● Bathroom and monitor weights and overall health of sloths
● Perform physical therapy and exercise for release candidates on climbing structures,
trees, etc.
● Clean outdoor sloth enclosures
● Provide enrichment to permanent sloth residents
● Monitor release candidate sloths in outdoor enclosures
● Help vet staff clean and organize the clinic
● Aid vet staff with clinical procedures, including exams, surgeries, emergency cases,
wound care and caring for critical patients
● Carry out daily inspection (rounds) of the property to ensure all animals on the
Toucan Rescue Ranch property are healthy and properly cared for, reporting any issues
to the vet staff
● Take monthly animal inventory while recording new arrivals, deaths, releases, and
transfers
● Train new interns for Sloth Team
Extra tasks may include: Train release candidate birds of prey in pre-release enclosures (flying
and hunting). This task is not necessarily exclusive to sloth interns but can be taken on by any
long-term intern or volunteer. We are always open to suggestions. Let us know if you have a special skill you think will be useful.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
All applicants require experience in an animal related veterinary setting. Suggested course
work: veterinary, primatology, zoology, biology, environmental science, wildlife ecology
discipline or have some experience working with animals.
Basic Requirements:
● Must be 18 years of age or older
● Provide proof of emergency health insurance while in Costa Rica
● Provide proof of current tetanus and rabies vaccinations
● Fluent in English. Basic Spanish proficiency.
● Moderate degree of fitness
● The ability to follow directions with attention to detail
● A positive "can-do" attitude and the ability to work well in a team environment
● Experience working with wildlife or animals is a plus
Ensuring Best Practice Implementation:
● Fostering practices that support and improve the Ranch’s philosophy, goals, and
standards of care.
● Maintaining quality care by establishing and enforcing organization standards.

WORK SCHEDULE
The Sloth Rehabilitation Intern works 5 days a week with two days off. Days off are not necessarily on the weekend.

You will learn about your schedule and days off during your orientation at the Toucan Rescue Ranch.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM BENEFITS AND COSTS
We have tried to keep our internships free to make them available to the widest range of people. But as costs
keep increasing and income from tourism varies, we must implement fees in order to maintain our operations.
The fee is about $35 a day and covers room and board costs as well as the education you will receive. We
continue to improve and expand our facilities and staff providing you with an excellent learning environment.
Your fee contributes to the medical care, food, and general husbandry of the animals in our care.
● Cost $4200, about $35 per day
● Housing Provided by TRR. Includes utilities and Wifi.
● Meals Meals are provided 7-days a week. We will show you the local stores where you can buy additional food to supplement your meals. Please let us know if you are vegetarian, vegan, or have special dietary requirements.
● Other All other costs are to be paid for by the intern. This includes travel and immigration expenses, medical insurance, and entertainment expenses

I’D LIKE TO APPLY
If you would like to be a part of the TRR Team, please send the following documents to
applications@toucanrescueranch.org
● One-page cover letter of interest - specify which internship(s) you are interested in and
when you are available to start
● CV or resume
● Contact information for three professional references
We will promptly contact you to schedule an interview after reviewing your application. If
you have any questions we are always available via email to answer any questions.

CONTACT
Toucan Rescue Ranch
www.toucanrescueranch.org
applications@toucanrescueranch.org