Biology student hones animal conservation skills through summer internship

Zora Danz ’28, a biology student at The College of Wooster, spent the summer in their home city of Roanoke, Virginia, as an intern for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke. Funded through an APEX Fellowship, the internship was the perfect opportunity for Danz to hone-in on skills relating to animal care and wellbeing, and learn about rehabilitation work within a larger conservation center. Although not cemented on a future career path, Danz’s work with this facility continues to aid them when thinking about future career options with animal rehabilitation.  

“This experience has ultimately assured me that I do enjoy and find meaning in working with wildlife, which I will take into consideration as I move forward in my years at Wooster.” 

—Zora Danz ’28

LESSONS LEARNED

Danz: My regular tasks included preparing food and feeding a variety of animals, primarily songbirds, Virginia opossums, squirrels, box turtles, and raptors. I also cleaned enclosures, exercised animals to ensure they become fit for release, and performed general upkeep and cleaning tasks around the Wildlife Center. The most interesting part about my daily work to me was always the direct interaction with wildlife and getting to observe species up close that I might otherwise never even see. 

GUIDANCE FOR GROWTH  

Danz: Naoko Skala, professor of theatre and dance, was my APEX mentor for this fellowship. She was always extremely welcoming and quick to communicate whenever I needed anything, and thus I felt comfortable asking any questions I had or voicing any issues I came across. 

EXPANDED PERSPECTIVE  

During the internship, Danz worked to rehabilitate the animals through careful attention to feeding, among other upkeeping tasks. Photo provided by subject.

Danz: This internship has helped me learn to keep calm under pressure, manage my time more efficiently, and ask questions. I am now also generally more knowledgeable about wildlife and the field of wildlife study. One of the main things I became familiar with, for example, was the abbreviated four-letter codes used as shorthand when discussing bird species. These are all things that will be useful as I continue to study wildlife science.

WHAT’S NEXT  

Danz: While I am still not sure of the specific career path that I am aiming for, this internship has definitely opened my eyes a bit to wildlife rehabilitation work. I can at least say with certainty that I will continue to seek out similar experiences and learn all that I can about the field. This experience has ultimately assured me that I do enjoy and find meaning in working with wildlife, which I will take into consideration as I move forward in my years at Wooster.

Featured image: Zora Danz ’28 cared for a multitude of animals during their summer internship. Photo provided by subject.

Posted in Experiential Learning, Showcase Stories 2025 on August 6, 2025.