Wolf Park Practicum & Internship Programs

Basic biology background or practical experience in handling pets, farm or wild animals, is preferred, but most important is the motivation to learn.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Anyone who is 18 years old or older and is interested in studying the behavior of the grey wolf . WOLF PARK has had participants from all over the world ranging in age from 18 to 65. Hands-on experience with the wolves is available to all participants. Anyone who goes in with the wolves must be healthy and strong enough to withstand an excited greeting from a hundred pound wolf.

WHEN ARE THEY AVAILABLE?

Practicum and Intern applications are accepted and evaluated all year round. Practicums and Interns reside at WOLF PARK all year round.

WHAT ARE THE ETHOLOGY PRACTICUMS AND INTERNSHIPS?

The Ethology Practicums and Internships offered at WOLF PARK are unique opportunities to study, in depth, the behavior and management of wolves in captivity. Participants in both programs are required to live on the property, unless other arrangements have been approved by WOLF PARK. The Practicums last a month or more, and allow interested parties to do short term observational research projects. Practicums are not required to do any work for WOLF PARK. The cost for the Practicum is $470 for one month. Longer stays can be arranged and the fees determined according to the length. This fee includes one month's rent in the dormitory, one year's membership to the Park and access to research materials.

The Internships last a minimum of three months, though longer stays can be arranged. Interns are also allowed to pursue research projects, like the Practicum students. Interns are required to work for the Park. The jobs are varied and performed under all types of weather (extreme cold to extreme heat), but include helping in the office, grounds work, handling animal carcasses, giving tours and working with the public, as well as with the wolves. The cost for the Internship program is $130 per month. This fee covers the cost of one month's rent in the dormitory. Interns are also given access to all the reference material on the property.

WOLF PARK does not offer any formal or structured education for Practicums or Interns. Therefore, participants need to be self motivated, outgoing, and capable of working without close supervision. The Practicum program is most useful for those people who have definite research goals in mind and have a limited amount of time. Internships are better suited for those who want to do research, but may be unclear on a suitable project, and who want to experience working in a non-profit, educational organization. If neither of these educational opportunities interests you or your time is very limited, WOLF PARK does offer a Five Day Wolf Behavior Seminar. For a cost of $375 (food and lodging are not supplied) you can receive formal lectures by Dr. Erich Klinghammer and his research associate, Pat Goodmann, and others on the behavior of wolves. For further information please contact WOLF PARK.

AT WOLF PARK YOU CAN LEARN:

• Observation techniques, and the interpretation of animal behavior.
  
• To distinguish individual animals.
  
• To distinguish individual behavior patterns and the context in which they occur.
  
• To keep notes and records of your observations, creating a journal, and the use of additional references.
  
• To use proper terms and their abbreviations in recording observations.
  
• Maintenance of wild animals in captivity - with special emphasis on the behavioral and psychological needs of animals.
  
• Awareness of an animals world from its perspective, rather than from the anthropomorphic point of view.
  
• And have the opportunity to participate in ongoing research.

JOBS WHEN THE PARK IS OPEN MAY INCLUDE:

• welcoming people while collecting money at the gatehouse
• escorting people to East Lake (animal "retirement" section)
• walking wolves to the wolf-bison demonstrations
• talking to people at the main pack bleachers or puppy pen
• staffing the bookstore
• giving tours to the visitors, answering questions and offer general information about the park and its various programs

• Saturday 10am - 1pm enclosure clean-up
• office help (such as data entry or bulk mailings)
• construction
• retrieving carcasses
• feeding and watering the animals
• observing the wolves
• mowing the grass
• publicity

• Have unlimited time to observe the wolves.
  
• Have the opportunity to perform approved research projects.
  
• Be able to have hands on experience with the wolves.
  
• Not be required to work for WOLF PARK, although volunteering would round out your education (and be greatly appreciated).

AS AN INTERN, YOU WILL ALSO:

• Have a lot of time to observe the wolves.
  
• Have the opportunity to perform approved research projects.
  
• Be able to have hands on experience with the wolves.
  
• Learn how non-profit, educational facilities operate by working for WOLF PARK.

WHAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• A desire to learn.
  
• A positive attitude.
  
• The maturity level and personal drive to work / study unsupervised.
  
• Flexibility and cooperation.
  

Research Projects

If you are accepted to either the Practicum or Internship program, and have a research project in mind, the project must be approved before hand. Project proposals and outlines should be sent to Pat Goodmann, c/o WOLF PARK, Battle Ground, In., 47920. A fter your project has been approved by her, it must also receive approval from Dr. Klinghammer.

Most of the research at WOLF PARK is observational in nature. Students in the past have studied sleeping behavior, eating behavior, howls and other vocalizations, adult interaction with puppies, to name just a few. Many students will focus on a particu lar animal and observe its interactions with the other animals. Other study opportunities exist with the foxes, bison, and coyote.

The small staff has limited time, therefore projects involving the manipulation of the animals and their environment are not suggested. Due to the health and safety concerns for the wolves and humans, we limit potentially unpleasant activities between researchers and wolves. Therefore most projects must not require intensive physical contact with the wolves or other animals. Also, due to time limitations, the staff cannot be an integral part of the research collection. Do remember though, the staff is always available to answer questions. For those persons with limited research experience (and limited time at the park), projects should also be observational. Before attempting long and involved projects, a visit to WOLF PARK is suggested.

THE RESEARCH YOU MAY BE INVOLVED IN:

The research done at Wolf Park includes various aspects of behavior of wolves and American plains bison. The wolves are observed at dawn or dusk (when they are most active). During the breeding season, they are watched for extended periods of up to 24 hours a day for the duration of the approximately 6-8 week long season. For more info check out the Breeding Season Program. In addition to this formal research, there is a lot of opportunity for observation of the other animals. Furthermore, all interns are urged to pursue some studies of their own.

WOLF PARK does have coed dormitory style housing available on the property. Intern and Practicum students share the same house. This building also houses the main office of WOLF PARK. Depending on the time of year and number of people staying at WOLF PARK, living quarters can become very close. Interns and Practicums will most likely have at least one roommate.

The coed dormitory has single sex rooms with 2 - 3 beds in each. The dorm has all the amenities of home: bathrooms, kitchen, washer and dryer, etc. There is also a common phone in the kitchen. All dorm residents should have a calling card to make long distance phone calls. Residents are responsible for purchasing and preparing all their own food

Even though dormitory residents are not allowed to bring their own pets, there are several dogs that live in the dormitory. If you have allergies to dogs and other household pets, please take this into consideration.

WOLF PARK is located 12 miles north of Lafayette, Indiana. We do not require Practicums or Interns to provide their own transportation, but it is highly recommended. For those who do not have their own transportation, rides into town for food, shopping , entertainment, and the like can be arranged.

There is a strict NO ALCOHOL policy at WOLF PARK. This means NO ALCOHOL is allowed on the property, no matter how old you are or what the laws governing alcohol may be where you are from. There is also a strict NO DRUG policy at WOLF PARK. A violation of either of the rules is grounds for dismissal from WOLF PARK.

Academic Credit and Certificates

WOLF PARK does not issue academic credits. Students who wish to carry out a project for academic credit must sign up for a course at their own college or university. They will submit their work to their instructor for evaluation and grading and send a copy to WOLF PARK. They must credit WOLF PARK as the place where the research was done. WOLF PARK staff, when possible, will assist in helping Practicums and Interns in filling out recommendations and evaluations.

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs © Monty Sloan/Wolf Park For permission to use or for more information about wolf photographs please write Monty Sloan

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Web page © 1997, 1998 Monty Sloan

Last revised: January 7, 1998