Research · Universities
Theses and Internships
Are you looking for a place to do your thesis or an internship on animal behavior, animal welfare, or environmental education? Zoo al Maglio could be the perfect place for you.
Who We’re Looking For
Studying animals—not just from books
More than 50 species, 250 animals, and a team of keepers who know each one by name: here, data is collected in real time.
The Zoo Research Network project was created to open the zoo to local universities. We welcome students who wish to write a thesis, complete an internship, or undertake a practicum: the daily observation of the animals is a source of data that is hard to find elsewhere.
We’re not just looking for people with scientific backgrounds. There’s also room for those involved in environmental education, science communication, and teaching: many of our activities for schools stem from work of this kind.
What We Can Work On
The Areas
Three possible directions, to be agreed upon with your advisor and with us.
Animal Behavior
Ethograms, activity patterns, social relationships within a group, and responses to environmental enrichment. Direct observation, with the opportunity to track the same animals for months.
Animal Welfare
Well-being indicators, environmental assessments, and the effects of management decisions. Work that translates directly into the zoo’s day-to-day operations.
Education and Outreach
Design and evaluation of educational activities, school materials, and conservation outreach to visitors.
Six months with the same animals
The data is collected here
What You’ll Find
What We Offer
Support and Access
You’re not alone
An in-house coordinator who oversees the work, provides support to the keepers to help them understand how animal management actually works, and grants access to the service areas necessary for observation.
At the end of the program, we issue a certificate acknowledging the activities completed, and the results—where applicable—are turned into educational resources for visitors: display panels, Animal Talk sessions, and materials for schools.
Applications
How to Apply
Please make your initial contact in writing so that we can carefully review your proposal.
Please email zooedu@zooalmaglio.ch, attaching your resume and a one-page statement explaining what you would like to study, at which university, and during what time period.
- Indicate your degree program, university, and the name of your advisor.
- Describe in a few linesthe topic you’re interested in and, if you already have one, the study design.
- Please specify the time period and how many hours or weeks you plan to devote to fieldwork.
- If your university requires a memorandum of understanding, let us know right away: you’ll need to allow time for administrative processing.