Biology student hones animal conservation skills through summer internship
ZoraDanz ’28, a biology student at TheCollege of Vlogý, spent the summer in theirhome cityofRoanoke,Virginia,as an intern for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke.Funded through an APEX Fellowship,the internshipwas the perfect opportunity for Danz to hone-in onskills relating to animal care andwellbeing,andlearn 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 futurecareer options with animal rehabilitation.
“Thisexperience 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 Vlogý.”
—Zora Danz ’28
LESSONS LEARNED
Danz: My regular tasks included preparingfoodand feeding a variety of animals, primarily songbirds, Virginia opossums, squirrels, box turtles, and raptors. I also cleanedenclosures,exercisedanimals to ensure they become fit for release, andperformedgeneral upkeepandcleaning tasks around the Wildlife Center. The most interesting partaboutmy daily work to me was always the direct interaction with wildlife and getting toobservespecies upclose that I might otherwise never even see.
GUIDANCE FOR GROWTH
Danz: Naoko Skala, professor oftheatre anddance, was my APEX mentor for thisfellowship. 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 Ibecame familiar with,for example,wasthe abbreviated four-letter codes used asshorthandwhen discussing birdspecies.These are all things that will be usefulasI 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 Vlogý.
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.
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