Przewalski's Horse Breeding Program
We are currently not accepting applications for this internship.
Project Description
The Przewalski's horse is the last remaining wild equid. Once declared extinct in the wild, the Przewalski's horse has been successfully reintroduced into reserves in Mongolia and China. The National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center has a herd of Przewalski's horses that are important in maintaining the captive population, which will provide animals for reintroduction. Relationships with other zoological institutions have been established through the species survival plan (SSP) in order to better maintain the genetics of the North American population.
Currently, there are 150 Przewalski's horses in the SSP. However, the increasing age of the North American population has made reproductive research on this species a priority. In April 2004, it was decided that an artificial insemination program would assist in better genetic management of this population.
There is limited reproductive knowledge of this species to date so this project entails developing a thorough understanding of mare and stallion physiology. Semen collections of stallions will be conducted to understand normal parameters in the male. Cryopreservation of semen will also be conducted in order to store valuable genetic material for future use in assisted reproduction. In mares, hormone patterns will be assessed through assays of collected urine as well as ultrasound examinations of females housed at CRC. Samples will also be collected and assessed from other institutions that are involved in this study.
Responsibilities
The intern will work at the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia. The intern will work in the endocrine labs of the Department of Reproductive Sciences. He or she will be responsible for conducting hormonal analyses on Przewalski's horse urine samples that have been collected and shipped from other North American zoos. He or she will be trained in general laboratory techniques, fecal extraction, and enzyme immunoassay. All necessary training will be provided on-site and the intern will have the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of researchers studying a variety of endangered species.
The intern will also be responsible for collecting urine samples from mares housed at CRC, providing an opportunity to interact with both animals and keepers. The intern will also assist with records while mares are being examined with ultrasound and while semen collections occur in stallions. There will also be opportunities to learn about cryopreservation techniques and how to handle frozen semen. This position is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in veterinary medicine or conservation biology. Travel to other institutions may also be part of the internship.
Desired Qualifications and Abilities
The intern must have an ability to work independently, and be detail-oriented, efficient, responsible, and eager to learn. The intern is expected to work at least 40 hours per week. A good work ethic is a must as there will be some weeks where the workload is demanding, especially in the summer months, which coincide with the breeding season.
The intern must have a strong interest in biological, animal, veterinary medicine, and/or environmental sciences. Preference will be given to applicants who are interested in working in conservation biology and/or wildlife medicine. Previous experience with horses or other large animals is also helpful as you will be interacting with horses five to six days per week.
A minimum of three years of undergraduate coursework in the aforementioned fields, including at least one laboratory course, is required.
Term of Appointment
The internship term is flexible. Most internships are for three months, although longer appointments are preferred. The following are general time frames for the internship
- January-May
- June-September
- October-December
If you are available for different times, please indicate your availability on your application.
Stipend
Will not be provided
Housing
Will be provided
Location
Front Royal, Virginia
Application Deadline
We are currently not accepting applications for this internship.
