OUR STORY
Gator Country Louisiana has been educating and entertaining visitors for nearly 25 years. Formerly known as Bayou Pierre Alligator Park, the sanctuary has long served as a home for American alligators and wildlife education in Louisiana.
In July of 2020, the park was purchased by Gary and Shannon Saurage, owners of Texas’s largest alligator park, to continue the legacy built by former owners Terry and Deborah Rogers.
Today, Gator Country Louisiana is the largest alligator park in the state, housing over 250 American alligators and offering hands-on, educational experiences designed to inspire respect, curiosity, and conservation.
INTERNSHIPS AT GATOR COUNTRY LOUISIANA
Gator Country Louisiana offers an immersive, hands-on internship designed for students and aspiring wildlife professionals who want real-world experience working with alligators, reptiles, and exotic animals.
As the largest alligator park in Louisiana, our facility provides unique opportunities to learn animal care, public education, wildlife handling, and park operations in a fast-paced, educational environment.
Our internship program selects 2–4 interns every three months and provides professional-level training in animal care, wildlife handling, and public education.
Program Details
Internship Duration:
Minimum of 3 months
Start Dates:
Between May 1 and May 15 (Seasonal placements available)
Hours Per Week:
40–60 hours
Compensation:
• FREE Housing Provided
• $600 Monthly Stipend
Experience Required:
No prior professional experience required
Education Preference:
Students pursuing or holding degrees in:
• Animal Biology
• Wildlife Management
• Herpetology
• Environmental Science
• Zoology
• Conservation or Education-related fields
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Interns gain hands-on experience working with both dangerous and non-dangerous reptiles while learning how a professional wildlife sanctuary operates. Training includes animal care, feeding and health monitoring, exhibit maintenance, assisting with medical care, supporting daily park operations, helping with construction and landscaping projects, safely transporting animals, and participating in educational shows, tours, and guest interactions.
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This internship is highly hands-on and physically active. Interns must be comfortable working outdoors in heat, humidity, insects, and changing weather conditions. Applicants must be able to lift at least 70 pounds, think quickly in stressful situations, and safely work around wildlife and reptiles.
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No prior professional experience is required. However, applicants should be comfortable working with wildlife and willing to learn reptile handling, animal care, and public education skills through hands-on training.
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Interns must maintain personal health insurance, commit to the full internship duration, and be comfortable with public speaking or willing to learn. A valid driver’s license and personal transportation are preferred but not required.
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Interns leave the program with real-world wildlife management experience, reptile handling skills, public education and presentation training, professional sanctuary and park operation knowledge, and mentorship from experienced handlers — preparing them for careers in animal care, conservation, education, and wildlife management.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire through hands-on wildlife experiences while promoting conservation and respect for the American alligator and other animals.