Ashia’s Cheetah Center in Paarl, near Cape Town, is inviting applications from suitable candidates for a 4-month fixed-term Animal Care Internship. The internship provides an opportunity to gain practical experience working closely with animal care and maintenance teams while developing knowledge of animal husbandry, behaviour, and care.
The internship is based at Ashia’s Cheetah Center, which serves as a hub for the organization’s conservation work. Interns will participate in daily activities involving animal care, volunteer coordination, maintenance, public engagement, and computer or data-related work.
About the Ashia Cheetah Center Internship
The successful intern will work closely with the animal and maintenance teams throughout the four-month programme. As part of the internship, the intern will be required to complete a 4-month internship workbook.
The workbook is designed to cover workplace soft skills while also providing a basic understanding of animal husbandry, animal behaviour, and animal care.
This makes the opportunity suitable for someone seeking practical exposure to animal care and conservation work in addition to workplace experience.
Responsibilities
The Animal Care Intern will be involved in a variety of activities, including:
- Animal care.
- Leading and managing volunteers.
- Maintenance and landscaping.
- Providing tours to members of the general public.
- Computer and data-related work.
The position may therefore involve both animal-focused responsibilities and practical outdoor work, as well as interaction with volunteers and visitors.
Requirements
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Be a South African national.
- Hold a tertiary diploma in an animal or conservation-related field.
- Have a strong interest in and passion for animal care.
- Have good computer skills.
- Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Be a team player and hard worker.
- Be willing to learn new skills and undertake physically demanding work.
- Be innovative and solution-driven.
- Be willing to live on-site.
- Have a valid driver’s licence and be an experienced, confident driver.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is intended for South African nationals with a tertiary diploma in an animal-related or conservation-related field and a genuine interest in animal care.
Applicants should also be prepared for practical and physically demanding work, living on-site, and working as part of a team in an animal conservation environment.
Internship Duration
The Ashia Cheetah Center internship is offered on a 4-month fixed-term basis.
During the internship, participants will work with the animal and maintenance teams and complete the required internship workbook covering workplace skills and fundamental aspects of animal husbandry, behaviour, and care.
Stipend
A stipend will be offered to cover basic necessities during the internship.
The announcement does not specify the exact stipend amount.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- An updated CV.
- A cover letter.
Applications should be sent by email to:
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate their interest in animal care and conservation and explain how their education and experience relate to the internship opportunity.
For more information about Ashia’s Cheetah Center and its conservation work, applicants can visit www.ashia.co.za.
Application Deadline
The vacancy announcement provided does not specify a closing date.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Ashia has indicated that shortlisted candidates will be contacted within two weeks.
Tips to Boost Your Application
To strengthen your application for the Animal Care Internship:
- Highlight your tertiary diploma and relevant animal or conservation studies.
- Clearly demonstrate your interest in animal care and conservation.
- Mention relevant practical, volunteer, or academic experience.
- Highlight your communication and computer skills.
- Include information about your driving experience and driver’s licence.
- Show that you are comfortable with physical work and learning new skills.
- Use your cover letter to explain your motivation for joining the internship.
- Ensure your CV is clear, updated, and relevant to the opportunity.
Final Thought
The Ashia Cheetah Conservation Internship 2026 offers a practical four-month opportunity for a South African national with an animal or conservation-related qualification to gain hands-on experience in an animal care environment.
With responsibilities ranging from animal care and volunteer management to maintenance, public tours, and data work, the internship provides exposure to different aspects of working within a conservation setting. Interested candidates should submit their CV and cover letter to animals@ashia.co.za.
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