WILDLIFE VETERINARY INTERNSHIP

Maximum Intake

2 interns

Minimum Age

18 years old

Accommodation

Dormitory-style with private partitioned areas

Nearest Airport

Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK)

Meals

Cooked lunch and dinner included

Transportation

Airport transfers available for a fee

Provide expert veterinary care for rescued wildlife in Java

In the rainforest foothills of West Java, gibbons, orangutans, sun bears, and hundreds of other animals are arriving at the Java Wildlife Centre in urgent need of care. Rescued from the illegal pet trade and trafficking crisis, each animal represents a second chance — and your role is to help deliver it. As a veterinary intern, you’ll split your time between the clinic and the field, gaining hands-on clinical experience across one of the most diverse caseloads in Southeast Asian wildlife medicine.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Java Wildlife Centre operates as a fully functioning rescue and rehabilitation facility, and veterinary interns are embedded directly into its clinical team. You’ll spend roughly half your time in the clinic and quarantine unit, and the rest doing hands-on animal care — building a comprehensive skill set that covers everything from diagnostics and surgical support to species-specific husbandry and enclosure management.

Your responsibilities will include:

Clinical care — administering prescribed medications, assisting with surgical procedures, performing physical examinations, and supporting necropsies
Diagnostics — obtaining and processing samples for microscopy and fecal floats, and operating basic in-house blood analysis equipment
Husbandry — cleaning and disinfecting enclosures, preparing species-specific diets, and practising safe, low-stress animal restraint techniques
Health monitoring — observing animals including nocturnal species for signs of stress, ill health, or behavioural change
Medical records — maintaining meticulous patient records and managing clinical inventory
Triage support — answering public triage calls and assisting with the intake of newly rescued animals
Organic farm — contributing to the on-site farm that provides healthy, species-appropriate food for resident animals
Conservation outreach — supporting education activities for visiting local children and international schools

Dates & Prices

This internship runs year-round with a minimum stay of 4 weeks

£750

4 weeks

£1,100

8 weeks

Includes

  • Dormitory accommodation with private partitioned areas
  • Mattress, fresh bedding, pillow, and mosquito net
  • Three cooked meals a day (dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice)
  • Laundry service and daily cleaning
  • On-site mentoring and academic supervision
  • Certificate of completion and professional reference

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Personal travel insurance (essential)
  • Airport transfers (£80 one way)
  • e-Visa fees (£150)
  • Vaccinations
  • Additional snacks or personal expenses

Academic Credits & learning Outcomes

This internship offers rare clinical depth — a structured, supervised placement in an active wildlife rescue centre treating some of Southeast Asia’s most endangered species, with hands-on involvement from day one.

By the end of your placement you’ll have gained experience in:

  • Wildlife clinical care — proficiency in physical examinations, medication administration, and surgical support across a diverse range of species
  • Diagnostics — hands-on sample collection, microscopy, fecal floats, and basic blood analysis
  • Species-specific husbandry — preparing diets and managing enclosures for gibbons, orangutans, sun bears, and more
  • Animal restraint — developing safe, low-stress handling techniques across multiple species
  • Medical records and inventory management — maintaining accurate clinical documentation in a professional facility
  • Rehabilitation assessment — contributing to behavioural evaluations that determine release candidacy
  • Conservation outreach — communicating wildlife issues to local and international audiences
  • Professional network building — connecting with international conservationists and veterinary professionals across Southeast Asia

 

On successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and a professional reference upon request. Academic supervision for university credit is available, though publishing research data externally requires government approval.

Requirements & Qualifications

This internship is open to veterinary students, qualified veterinarians, and vet nurses looking to develop their clinical experience in wildlife medicine. Non-veterinary candidates are encouraged to apply for the general Wildlife Rescue internship instead.

You’ll need:

  • Veterinary qualifications or current enrolment in a veterinary medicine or vet nursing programme
  • English fluency — strong written and verbal communication is essential; Bahasa Indonesia is helpful but not required
  • Computer proficiency — comfortable working in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Strong observational skills and accuracy in clinical record keeping
  • High physical fitness — the role involves significant manual labour in a tropical environment
  • Confidence and patience in animal handling, including safe restraint techniques
  • Flexibility and cultural sensitivity — essential for working effectively in a community-based setting

About This Project

The Centre sits near the town of Sukabumi in West Java, 800 metres above sea level in a high-altitude rainforest landscape defined by dense jungle terrain and six natural waterfalls, some reaching 100 metres in height. It is a stunning setting, and one with plenty to explore on your days off.

Swim in natural waterfalls, explore a 1,500-metre cave system, tour local tea plantations, or take a trip to the historic cities of Bogor or Bandung. Javanese cooking lessons are also available for those who want to immerse themselves further in local culture.

Accommodation is dormitory-style with private partitioned areas, shared toilet and shower facilities, and lockers for valuables. A mattress, fresh bedding, a pillow, and a mosquito net are all provided — just bring your own towel and toiletries. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, long sleeves and trousers for insect protection, and a sturdy pair of closed-toe shoes or boots. Laundry service and daily cleaning are included in your fee.

Three cooked meals are provided daily. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets can all be accommodated with advance notice.

Map

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FAQ

Do I need to be a qualified veterinarian to apply?
This internship is open to veterinary students, qualified veterinarians, and vet nurses. Non-veterinary candidates are encouraged to apply for the general Wildlife Rescue internship instead. Undergraduate veterinary students with limited clinical experience are welcome but will typically focus on foundational support roles.
Academic supervision for university credit is available on site. Please note that publishing research data externally requires complex government approval, which can be a lengthy process. We recommend discussing your university’s specific requirements with us before applying.
COVID-19, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis (TB) vaccinations are required before your placement begins. Please ensure you have proof of a BCG vaccination or a recent negative TB test result. We recommend consulting your GP or a travel health clinic well in advance.
Yes. Stays commonly range between four and twelve weeks. Pricing is available for 4, 8, and 12-week placements. Get in touch to discuss your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you.