What Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Do
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists study animal characteristics and behaviors. Along with this, they monitor animal populations. They also examine the relationship between humans and wildlife. While doing this, they study the effect that humans have on wildlife ecosystems. Another one of their duties is to conduct tests which includes doing blood tests and checking animals for diseases.
Typically, zoologists and wildlife biologists specialize by the species they are studying. For example, entomologists study insects, malacologists study mollusks, and ornithologists study birds. Another way that these biologists specialize is by the aspect they are studying. For instance, some zoologists and wildlife biologists will focus on anatomy while others will focus on embryology or ethology (study of behaviors).
How to Become a Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist
To become a zoologist and wildlife biologist, a bachelor's degree in zoology, wildlife biology, or ecology should be obtained. As stated by College Factual, the best undergraduate zoology programs are offered at University of California - Davis, and University of Wisconsin - Madison. Further education such as a masters or PhD in a related field will allow for a higher level job and the opportunity to lead research and projects.
There are some important skills that zoologists and wildlife biologists should strive to learn to do their job well. These skills include: communication, critical-thinking, problem-solving, interpersonal, observation, and outdoor skills. Another aspect that is crucial to possess in this career is the ability to remain emotionally stable. Of course all zoologists and wildlife biologists don't have these exact skills; however they are still important to keep in mind.
Pay and Job Outlook for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $63,270. This varies based on what specific department they work in.
In terms of job outlook, zoologists and wildlife biologists are expected to see a growth of 5% in their career in the next ten years. One reason for this expected growth is because as the human population grows, more research will need to be conducted to see how this affects wildlife. Unfortunately, this field is limited in government funding, so it may not grow as fast as it needs to to keep up with wildlife conservation demands.
Sources
Information from:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists.htm (visited July 28, 2020).
2020 Best Colleges for Zoology. (n.d.). Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/rankings/top-ranked/index3.html?utm_expid=.v-e8XTzdRiuEkiX6YUCncQ.2
Picture from:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists.htm (visited July 28, 2020).