Position Description:
The Sloth Institute (TSI) has an urgent need for a dedicated Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician specializing in clinical care (including infants) to join the team in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. This internship position is ideal for veterinary technicians, veterinary students, or individuals with hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation and neonatal animal care.
The primary role of this technician is to assist the veterinary team with patient care, including overnight feedings and health monitoring. The successful candidate will work closely with TSI’s veterinary and animal care team to ensure the survival and successful rehabilitation of sloths in critical care. This position requires someone who can work independently, often alone due to the small team size, and is comfortable with the demanding physical and emotional challenges of wildlife rehabilitation.
Location: Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Minimum Stay: 3-6 months
Start Date: ASAP – Immediate need
Due to the urgent nature of current infant care needs, TSI is seeking someone who can begin immediately.
INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS:
All applicants must be physically fit and healthy, have experience in animal care and animal husbandry, excellent communication skills, a strong interest in animal welfare and conservation, and a great sense of humor.
Applicants must be organized and tidy. You will report directly to the Head Veterinarian daily and must be able to recognize medical, behavioral, and husbandry issues and notify your supervisor promptly.
- Experience with syringe feeding young mammals (wildlife or domestic)
- Veterinary technician certification, veterinary student, or equivalent hands-on animal care experience strongly preferred
- Comfortable working irregular hours, including overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in the care of vulnerable animals
- Comfortable working and living alone frequently as part of a small, remote team
- Physical stamina to work in hot, humid tropical conditions
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records
- Maturity, reliability, and dedication to animal welfare
- Fluent in English
- Must be comfortable with the realities of wildlife rehabilitation, including the possibility of animal loss
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide round-the-clock feeding care for orphaned infant sloths, including night shifts
- Perform syringe feeding and monitor feeding progress
- Conduct detailed health observations and maintain accurate care logs
- Monitor sloth behavior, development, and overall well-being
- Assist with general husbandry duties, including enclosure cleaning and enrichment
- Prepare specialized food and nutritional supplements for rescued wildlife
- Assist with basic clinic work and veterinary care procedures as needed
- Work independently with minimal supervision while following established care protocols
- Communicate regularly with veterinary staff about patient and infant health status
- Maintain clean and sanitary care environments
EDUCATIONAL AND WORKPLACE INTERNSHIP BENEFITS:
- Intensive hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation and neonatal animal care
- Direct experience working with endangered species conservation
- Training in specialized sloth care protocols
- The opportunity to work closely with a dedicated conservation team
- Experience that is highly valuable for veterinary or wildlife rehabilitation careers
- The profound satisfaction of giving orphaned wildlife a second chance at life in the wild
- Networking opportunities with experienced and seasoned professionals in the conservation field
- If completed in high standing, a letter of recommendation from your supervisor/manager
What to Expect During this Internship
This position is physically and emotionally demanding. Interns should be prepared to work in challenging tropical conditions—hot, humid, wet, and physically exhausting. The work involves irregular schedules based on the needs of infant animals in care, including frequent night shifts.
Due to the small team size at TSI, this position requires a high degree of independence and self-motivation. The technician will often be the sole caregiver on duty and must be comfortable making decisions and following protocols without immediate supervision.
This is not a typical internship or vacation opportunity. It is intensive, critical animal care work that requires complete dedication. However, for the right candidate, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to directly impact sloth conservation and gain invaluable experience in wildlife rehabilitation.
Salary & Funding
This is a voluntary/self-funded position. A rustic room in shared common facilities will be provided. WIFI, electricity, and running water are also included.
You will be responsible for all travel, immigration, and health insurance expenses.
Term of Internship
Must be willing to stay for at least 3 months, with an option to extend upon review.