Spending the Summer with Chimps
By Josie Sepel, Project Chimps Communications Intern
As I sat in my cramped college dorm room in upstate New York last winter, I never could have imagined that in five short months I would be staring face to face with a twin chimpanzee named Charisse or falling asleep to a chorus of chimpanzee hoots. As a writing major only halfway through Ithaca College, I thought that my possibilities for summer internships were limited to publishing houses, local newspapers, and marketing companies. But, that all changed when I saw a posting for a summer internship at a chimpanzee sanctuary.
An unexpected discovery
The opportunity that I had stumbled across was looking for students studying biology or zoology (definitely not me), but as I scrolled through photographs of chimpanzees lounging outside in the sun and swinging on tires, something sparked. Launching into an internet searching frenzy, I checked chimp sanctuary after chimp sanctuary, looking for some way to get involved, some way that my skills might be of use. Then I found it. A communications internship at Project Chimps, a 236-acre non-profit sanctuary which provides lifelong exemplary care to chimpanzees retired from medical research. As a writing major and an animal lover interested in working for a nonprofit, I didn’t have to think too long about it before I clicked “apply here.”
Project Chimps interns come from all over, each with their own unique story to tell. Keep on reading to meet this summer’s interns and to learn more about what they do here at the sanctuary.
Meet the summer interns
Charli Morachnick is currently studying at the University of Southern California, taking classes in communications and photojournalism. She spent last summer taking photos at the YanaCocha Wildlife Rescue Center in Ecuador, and since then she has been searching for other opportunities to combine her love of the camera with her passion for animal advocacy. Here at the sanctuary, Charli works as a communications intern, producing photos and video content of the chimps, the staff, and all of the wonderful volunteers. On her time off, she can be found at the intern cabin, cooking up delicious vegan meals and taking nighttime photos of the fireflies.
Julia Mays just finished her first year at North Carolina State University, where she is earning a degree in zoology. She is interested in veterinary medicine and in working with exotic animals. Julia’s love for animals extends way beyond chimpanzees. She is currently the proud owner of 4 foster kittens and has worked as a kennel/vet tech at the Valley River Humane Society, helping to treat sick animals, do intake, and clean the facilities. Here at Project Chimps, Julia is a chimp care intern!
Leanne Swajger just graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina! She earned a degree in biology with a concentration in ecology, evolution, and environment. Before coming to Project Chimps, Leanne worked at the Creation Kingdom Zoo and the Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary. At Project Chimps, Leanne works as a chimp care intern. When she’s not around animals, you can find Leanne listening to an eclectic mix of country and rap music and catching up on some of her favorite TV shows.
Addie Murphy is currently majoring in biology, minoring in international affairs, and earning a certificate in environmental science from Georgia Tech. She spent last summer working as a volunteer for Project Chimps and has also worked at Zoo Atlanta, volunteering in animal care and guest services. Here at Project Chimps, Addie works in chimp care. A Georgia native, Addie lives just twenty minutes away in Blairsville.
An Internship for Everyone
The internship program at Project Chimps currently offers opportunities to work in three different areas at the sanctuary: chimpanzee care, communications, and facilities. Soon those offerings will be expanded to include administration and events/outreach. If you have a skillset that doesn’t fit under one of those categories, you can email the organization and propose something new! The organization offers on-site housing for full-time interns in a historic, 19th century homestead cabin, so even if you’re not from the forested Blue Ridge Mountain region of northern Georgia, there’s a place here for you.
Ali Crumpacker, Executive Director at Project Chimps, says that the main benefit of interning at Project Chimps is that “every intern, regardless of what their focus is, gets a general overview of the operations and then spends the majority of their time on their actual focus.” This enables interns to truly learn the ins and outs of working at a chimpanzee sanctuary, and, more generally, to gain a better understanding of working at a wildlife facility or with any animals in captive care. For me as a writer, I spend most of my day working with the communications team, but I also get to help occasionally clean the villas, spend a couple hours washing vegetables in the kitchen, and just pitch in whenever an extra pair of hands is needed!
More Than Just a Learning Opportunity
The internship program at Project Chimps is not just a learning opportunity for its participants. According to Crumpacker, “With all interns, you are looking at individuals that are fresh through academia, whether they’re still finishing their degree or have just recently completed it so that is constantly bringing in the newest, greatest ideas that are out there. It keeps our operations fresh and stimulated.” Crumpacker says that, because the team at Project Chimps is so focused on their day to day work, “[they’re] not necessarily aware that there’s something new and wonderful that [they] can incorporate into our operations until an intern comes in and says, ‘I learned about this thing, can we try it?’”
Make Your Dream a Reality
Project Chimps is always seeking new volunteers and interns. Internship applications are currently being accepted for Fall and Winter 2019 as well as for Spring and Summer 2020. Click here to learn more about the various internships available and how you can get involved!