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 & Important Details:
The Wildlife Veterinary Intern works under the direction of our vet and our founder to care for the animals in our clinic and those undergoing rehabilitation. The intern maintains supplies and clinic records, conducts treatments, examinations, and diagnostic procedures, feeds, and cares for the animals. The intern expects to work long hours and be available for emergencies.
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 is expected to be ready for emergencies. You will learn about your schedule and days off during your orientation at the Toucan Rescue Ranch.
Internship Location – Headquarters
Toucan Rescue Ranch’s main location in San Isidro, Heredia, Costa Rica, offers a unique environment for aspiring interns eager to work in wildlife conservation. Nestled in a region with a mild tropical climate, The Ranch experiences temperatures ranging from 60-80°F (16-27°C) year-round, with a dry season from December to April and a lush, green, rainy season from May to November. This climate creates a comfortable atmosphere for interns and staff and provides an optimal habitat for the diverse wildlife in our care.
Interns at The Ranch enjoy amenities designed to support their hands-on experience, including comfortable living spaces, shaded walkways through wildlife enclosures, and a fully equipped educational center where training and team collaboration sessions are held. With native plant gardens attracting local species like butterflies and birds, the Ranch offers a peaceful yet dynamic environment ideal for learning about Costa Rican ecology and developing practical animal care, enrichment, and conservation education skills.
Whether working in the sunshine of the dry season or witnessing the vibrant transformation during the rains, an internship at TRR’s Headquarters offers an immersive experience combining Costa Rica’s natural beauty with meaningful conservation work.
- 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.
- Feed and monitor animals in the clinic
- Clean clinic and kennels
- Triage animals received at the Toucan Rescue Ranch.
- Assist in exams and treatments
- Animal enrichment
- Proper maintenance regarding animal enclosures and zookeeping
- Backup to other Toucan Rescue Ranch Interns
- 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.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Provide proof of emergency health insurance while in Costa Rica.
- Since January 2025, we have updated our policy to no longer require COVID vaccinations. Volunteers and interns can either provide proof of vaccination or present a negative test taken within 48 hours before starting their volunteering or internship. Additionally, we require an up-to-date tetanus vaccination (valid for ten years).
- The ability to follow directions with attention to detail.
- A positive “can-do” attitude and the ability to work well in a team environment.
- 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.
- Moderate degree of fitness.
- 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.
- Experience handling animals.
- Fostering practices that support and improve the Ranch’s philosophy and goals.
- Maintaining quality by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
Internship Duration: Minimum of 4 Months
We can be as flexible and accommodating as possible with the below dates. A longer duration is preferred, and we will accept adjustments to these dates. Please indicate these requests in your application.
| Service Dates | Application Available | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
|
December 1, 2025 – April 17, 2026 |
OPEN | No Application Deadline |
|
February 23, 2026 – July 10, 2026 |
OPEN | No Application Deadline |
|
May 25, 2026 – October 9, 2026 |
OPEN |
No Application Deadline |
|
August 3, 2026 – December 18, 2026 |
OPEN |
No Application Deadline |
|
November 2, 2026 – March 19, 2027 |
OPEN |
No Application Deadline |
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. Request a donation letter at the end of your service.
Internship Costs
Wildlife Veterinary Internship - Headquarters-
Housing: Single Bed, Utilities & Wi-Fi
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Hands-On Animal Husbandry & Zookeeping Experience
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Meals: 7/Days a Week
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Other Expenses: Airfare, Transportation, Immigration, Insurance, & Entertainment
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.