About Toucan Rescue Ranch

The Toucan Rescue Ranch’s (TRR) mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Costa Rican wildlife. TRR works with a model focusing on conservation, education, and research to ensure a brighter future for Costa Rican wildlife. TRR emphasizes the care, rehabilitation, and release of national wildlife. We receive and care for confiscated, sick, and injured animals from government agencies.

The Toucan Rescue Ranch works closely with the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (MINAE), which brings injured and displaced wildlife to the center. TRR provides sanctuary while giving treatment and rehabilitation. Whenever possible the animal is released to their natural environment.

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

Internship Description

The Release Site Wildlife Veterinary Intern works under the direction of the vet manager at the Release Site to care for the animals at the clinic undergoing rehabilitation. Maintaining supplies and clinic records. Conducting treatments, examinations, diagnostic procedures, feeding, and caring. Expect to work long hours and to be available for emergencies. The Release Site Wildlife Veterinary Intern is also responsible for completing the daily feeding and care of Toucan Rescue Ranch. This intern will support the Release Site Animal Care Intern daily to ensure animals are fed, and enclosures are clean. This means the intern will participate in feeding and cleaning, besides the daily clinic work.

Internship Duration: 4-Months

Work Schedule

The Intern works five days a week with two days off. Days off are not necessarily on the weekend. The daily schedule needs to be flexible depending on the animals in the clinic. Night work is required. The intern works long hours and expects to be ready for emergencies. You will learn about your schedule and days off during your orientation at the Toucan Rescue Ranch.

Internship Location – Release Site

The Release Site of Toucan Rescue Ranch is located in the picturesque village of Nazareth, Sarapiquí, on Costa Rica’s lush Caribbean slope. Situated about an hour from TRR Headquarters, this area is a remote agricultural and farming region, offering interns a tranquil and immersive experience in Costa Rica’s natural beauty.

Climate and Weather:
Nazareth enjoys a warm, tropical climate typical of the Caribbean lowlands. Expect humid weather with frequent rains, especially during the wet season (May–November). Temperatures range between 75°F (24°C) and 85°F (29°C), making the area consistently lush and green. The dry season (December–April) brings slightly less humidity but remains vibrant and full of life.

Village Amenities:
Nazareth is a small but charming village featuring a local convenience store, a church, a school, and a soccer field, serving as the community hub. Although amenities are basic, the Release Site vehicle is available for work-related transportation needs, offering flexibility when supplies or resources are required.

What to Expect as an Intern:

• Remote Location: The Release Site is secluded, providing a serene environment ideal for wildlife conservation work. While it lacks urban amenities, it offers a deeply immersive experience in the rural heart of Costa Rica.
• Hands-On Work: Interns will work directly with wildlife in preparation for their release, contributing to vital conservation efforts. This location is perfect for those passionate about fieldwork and animal rehabilitation.
• Community Living: Interns live and work alongside a close-knit team, fostering camaraderie and shared purpose. The simplicity of village life encourages meaningful connections and a deeper understanding of Costa Rican culture.

The Release Site is ideal for interns eager to make a tangible impact in wildlife conservation while experiencing life in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions.

Skills You Will Learn from this Internship

• Teamwork.
• Exposure to the running of a wildlife rescue center.
• Triage.
• Conducting intake examinations.
• Animal restraint techniques.
• Medication administration.
• Testing procedures.
• Safety and sterilization best practice.
• Anesthesia procedures.
• Small animal health management.
• Clinic records maintenance.

Activities & Responsibilities

Clinic & Animal Husbandry

• Feed and monitor animals.
• Clean clinic and kennels.
• Feed and monitor animals at the Release Site.
• Triage animals were received at the Release Site. Triage will determine whether the animal can be treated at the Release Site, whether it needs to be sent to the TRR Headquarters for clinic care, or whether it is an emergency requiring immediate direction from the Vet Director and TRR Founder.
• Assist in exams and treatments.
• Animal enrichment.
• Proper maintenance regarding animal enclosure and zookeeping.
• Backup to other Toucan Rescue Ranch Interns.
• Nighttime animal monitoring.

Administrative Work

• Manage cleanliness and ordering of animal care supplies.
• Evaluate and perfect the quality of rehab animals’ diets.
• Complete thorough record-keeping and detailed observations as needed. We are always open to suggestions. Let us know if you have a special skill you think will be useful.

Other Activities

• Backup to other Release Site interns such as Saving Sloths Together technicians.
• Assist in the feeding and care of birds in the pre-release and breeding enclosures.
• Assist in the mapping of the plants and trees on the Release Site.
• Assist in the monitoring of wild animals and identification of what they eat.
• General facility maintenance – yard work, facility cleaning.

Requirements & Qualifications

General Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Provide proof of emergency health insurance while in Costa Rica.
• Provide proof of at least 2 COVID-19 vaccines.
• Provide proof of current tetanus and rabies (recommended) vaccinations.
• The ability to follow directions with attention to detail.
• A positive “can-do” attitude and the ability to work well in a team environment.

Specific Requirements

• Fluent in English. Basic or intermediate Spanish.
• Coursework in veterinary studies, primatology, zoology, environmental education, wildlife ecology, or a related field.
• Have excellent communication skills.
• Have a strong interest in animal welfare and conservation.
• A moderate degree of fitness.

Other Valuable Skills

• A first aid course is highly recommended.
• Experience traveling to a tropical country and living in remote conditions is preferred.
• Experience working with wildlife is a plus.

Ensuring Best Practices Implementation

• Fostering practices that support and improve the Ranch’s philosophy and goals.
• Maintaining quality by establishing and enforcing organization standards.

Program Benefits & Costs

To make our internships accessible to a wide range of people, we’ve worked hard to keep them free. However, due to rising costs and fluctuations in tourism income, we must implement costs in our internship program. This fee covers room, board, and the valuable education you’ll receive throughout your internship.

Your contribution directly supports the medical care, food, and daily needs of the animals in our care, helping us maintain and improve our facilities, staff, and learning environment. Thank you for helping us continue our mission! Your donation is tax-deductible in the United States.

Apply Today!

One-page cover letter of interest—specify which internship you are interested in and the start date, CV or resume, and contact information for three professional references. After reviewing your application, we will promptly contact you to schedule a virtual interview.

If you have any questions, we are always available via email to answer any questions

Application form