The job of wildlife biologists is quite fascinating. Their prime responsibility is to study animals and wildlife’s biology, habitats, and behavior. They help protect vulnerable species by analyzing the impact of human activity on the environment and species survival.
Generally, people who are animal lovers, passionate about environmental conservation, and have a liking for science choose this career. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, currently, there are only around 17,200 zoologists and wildlife biologists in the U.S. However, the available jobs are approximately around 18,500.
If you are an animal lover with an aptitude for science, you should consider becoming a wildlife biologist. That being said, let’s learn more!
How To Become A Wildlife Biologist?
The minimum qualification required is a bachelor’s degree in wildlife or fisheries management. This degree includes complete coursework in animal and environment conservation, population dynamics, ecology, zoology, anatomy, genetics, botany, wildlife or environmental law, and more.
In addition to the degree, you also need to get CWB (Certified Wildlife Biologist) or AWB (Associate Wildlife Biologist) certification. The certification is usually given based on professional experience. Nevertheless, every biologist must complete 80 hours (at least) of continuing education every 5 years.
How To Get The Job?
You can get a job after completing your bachelor’s degree. However, some government or private employers might ask for a master’s degree or doctorate.
As mentioned above, the number of jobs available is already higher than the total number of people employed. Plus, the studies have shown that the growth rate is 8% more than the other occupations.
In order to get the job, you must complete an internship and get certified. After that, you must look for life science recruiters to explore positions in different industries such as animal biologics, diagnostics, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and biomaterials.
Apart from these industries, you can also look for jobs in the following industries:
- Animal care and service worker,
- Veterinarian,
- Biochemist,
- Environmental scientist and specialist.
What Are Their Roles And Responsibilities?
Typical roles and responsibilities of this profession include:
- Conduct research studies, complex data analysis, and census projects.
- Study about ecosystems.
- Evaluation of the impact of commercial enterprises on local wildlife and community.
- Taking steps to safeguard endangered species.
- Trap, relocate, or tag for their conservation and protection.
- Creating land and water use plans for different species.
- Interacting and coordinating with fish and game wardens and management of local animals.
- Studying wildlife diseases and their transmission.
- Writing research papers, scholarly articles, and scientific reports.
- Presenting findings to the general public, stakeholders, and academics.
Apart from these, the duties and responsibilities can vary from job position to job position.
What Are The Necessary Skills?
In order to perform the duties mentioned above, you need the following skills:
- Communication skills for presenting the findings verbally and in writing to the public.
- Critical-thinking skills to conclude the research.
- Observation and problem-solving skills to identify the threats and come up with solutions to protect the animals and environment.
Wrapping It All Up!
As much fun and exciting as this profession may seem, it requires consistent hard work and determination to be successful. If you are sure about pursuing this as a career, make sure to study well and connect with reliable recruiters.