Over the years, the Primate Rescue Center’s Internship Program has grown into an incredible teaching and learning opportunity for interested individuals from across the globe. Interns become immersed in nearly all daily tasks that occur at the sanctuary, learning directly from primate caregivers about animal husbandry and assisting with a variety of tasks essential to maintaining a high-quality animal care program. PRC interns have gone on to pursue careers in the animal care field and many become caregivers at primate sanctuaries, including quite a few who have become caregivers at the PRC. For people seriously interested in focusing their time and energy toward learning how to provide captive primates an enriching and safe environment, our internship program is an invaluable opportunity.
Our 2019 Winter Session intern, Shelley Lownds, recently answered some questions about herself, so here’s a chance for you to get to know a little about Shelley and her internship experience.
Shelley
Shelley grew up in Evergreen, Colorado, where she was surrounded by wildlife. Shelley shares, “I have always loved being around and helping animals. Growing up around wildlife helped grow my passion. [As I learned] in school about animals becoming endangered, [it] made me realize I wanted to help change that.”
Shelley currently attends Centre College in Danville, where she is majoring in behavioral neuroscience with a focus on non-human animals and minoring in environmental studies. Shelley hopes to have a career in wildlife rehabilitation and be apart of studies dealing with reintroductions into the wild. Shelley says, “I hope one day to open my own rehab and release center.”
So far, her favorite part of the internship is simply seeing the primates everyday. “I love getting to know each individual and learn more about them. I also enjoy making enrichment to help improve their lives.”
Cory chimpanzee, one of Shelley’s pals
While it is very hard to pick favorites, Shelley has become particularly fond of Cory. “He has such a strong personality and knows how to make himself known,” she mentions.
When Shelley isn’t busy with school, she enjoys spending her free time playing volleyball, reading and hiking.
We are so grateful that Shelley is spending her winter helping us continue to give excellent care to the primates who live at the sanctuary.
We are still currently accepting applications for our 2019 Summer Session for applicants who do not require housing. For more information about the PRC Internship Program, check out this LINK and take a look at the internship requirements and application packet!