How To Get A Job In A Zoo – Scientists estimate that there are approximately 8.7 million species of plants, fungi and animals on Earth. Between 1 and 2 million of these species are thought to be animals. Arezoologists are tasked with observing and studying these animals. Zoologists are dedicated animal lovers who often travel far and wide to study different species in their habitats. As wildlife continues to adapt to climate change and the impact of human activity, the role of the zoologist will remain important for endangered populations.
But what do you need to become a zoologist? An entry-level position almost always starts with a college degree. Becoming a zoologist can begin by earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. Popular titles include animal health and behavior, wildlife conservation, and wildlife and fisheries biology.
How To Get A Job In A Zoo
In this article, we identify how to become a zoologist by going through the steps of becoming a zoologist. You will also learn about different branches of zoology. This way, you will know exactly how to be a zoologist with the specialization that suits you best.
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So, what does a zoologist actually do? A zoologist studies animals in the wild and in captivity. By observing different species in their habitats, zoologists understand how animals behave in the wild. Their goal is to identify and monitor how different species interact within their ecosystem. This is especially important as climate change continues to transform different habitats.
They can work indoors, conduct laboratory experiments and produce reports to present their findings. However, many zoologists work outdoors and travel frequently, collecting samples, collecting data, monitoring and managing wildlife populations.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study the behavior of animals in different environments. They observe and measure the physical characteristics of different species, monitor their diet, track migration patterns and reproductive rates, and address any threats they may face. For animals in the wild, threats can be invasive pests, diseases or toxins that appear in their environment. When dealing with human impact on these species, zoologists develop conservation plans to protect endangered species and may manage hunting programs.
What does it mean to be a zoologist? Dedication, patience, strong communication skills, computer experience, analytical thinking, leadership ability and excellent teamwork skills are vital. Being a zoologist has many benefits, especially for those who love science, working with animals and being outdoors.
Zoo And Wildlife Career Faqs
Since it can be a physically demanding position, the job of a zoologist requires professionals to be in a healthy physical condition. They can carry equipment and large containers of food, go uphill in bad weather, or dive deep into the ocean.
For a zoologist, the work environment can vary. Some may work exclusively in offices and laboratories. Others may teach in museums and universities. Many spend most of their time outdoors collecting data from the field and studying rare animals in their natural habitat. Depending on their specific position or field of study, a zoologist’s job description can vary greatly, but it has an impact everywhere.
Do zoologists work in zoos? Of course you do! Well, at least some do. In zoos, wildlife centers, national parks and aquariums, wildlife specialists care for a variety of species.
But what do zoologists do in zoos? As keepers, researchers, and trainers, they care for animals, observe animal behavior, provide enrichment to stimulate healthy behavior, train animals, and keep enclosures clean, safe, and comfortable. When it comes to breeding programs, zoologists have the training needed to maintain healthy captive populations, restore wild populations, and address threats.
Conservation Career Quest
Wildlife conservation groups often hire zoologists to help them effectively rehabilitate and release animals. In these non-profit organizations, zoologists can use their expertise to plan conservation and ecotourism initiatives within local communities or to lobby governments.
Some wildlife biologists and zoologists become museum curators. In this role, they can manage samples, conduct research and share their knowledge with the public. It is also not uncommon for a zoologist to become a teacher, professor, or other faculty member at a university. They can present findings through presentations, reports and research articles.
A research zoologist may be hired by a pharmaceutical company or a private medical research company to test new pest control or veterinary drugs. With an intimate knowledge of both wild and captive animals, zoologists are well equipped to conduct scientific laboratory studies on a variety of species.
Usually employed full-time, a zoologist’s working hours can be long and irregular. A zoologist’s work schedule will vary depending on their role and the species being studied. For example, nocturnal animals are likely to be observed during the night.
Saint Louis Zoo
A zoologist may work exclusively indoors or may travel to remote locations around the world for field work. For a zoologist, working conditions can include difficult terrain and harsh weather. They can travel to scorching deserts, arctic tundras or deep seas for research.
As they progress in their career, a zoologist may be offered a leadership role. In this leadership position, the Senior Zoologist will have several additional responsibilities. This may include:
Zoologists usually specialize in the study of vertebrates or invertebrates. When they choose to do so, they can become experts on a particular species. There are roughly 10 main specializations for zoologists.
As of November 2021, the average salary for a zoologist is reported to be around $70,510, and most work full-time. This works out to about $31 earned per hour. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for zoologists in May 2020 was $66,350.
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Those who worked within the federal government had the highest average salary. Federal wages reached $81,530, compared to state employees who earned closer to $59,660. In general, the lowest 10% of zoologists earned less than $41,720. The top 10% earned more than $106,320,
Career prospects for the zoologist will continue to grow between 2020 and 2030. In the next 10 years, job prospects for zoologists are expected to increase by 5%. That’s as fast as the average for all occupations. The demand for zoologists will grow as the human population grows and the climate continues to change. There are currently approximately 18,500 zoologist and wildlife biology jobs available. This number is expected to grow as another 1,000 jobs are created across the country.
Still, wildlife specialists will face stiff competition for the zoologist jobs available to them. To excel, passionate young professionals should work to gain hands-on experience through internships, summer jobs, or volunteer work after graduation.
You can start preparing for a career in zoology while you’re still in high school by focusing on your studies. Lessons in English, writing, history, computer science and humanities will be important. However, math and science courses such as chemistry, biology, physics and comparative anatomy will be vital.
Why We Should Get Rid Of Zoos
Because zoologists study a wide range of topics in the natural sciences, both classroom and laboratory work experience can be a smart way to get ahead. Outside of school, volunteering at zoos, local animal shelters, kennels, or an aquarium can look great on an application. All this helps to show a proactive passion for working with wild animals.
The short answer is yes. But what does a zoologist study? Aspiring zoologists will likely need to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program such as animal health and behavior, wildlife conservation, wildlife and fisheries biology, marine biology, and sustainable aquaculture or captive wildlife care. There are also zoology-specific degree programs that may be the most relevant training for a career in zoology. High-level scientific research usually requires a master’s degree and a Ph.D. it is almost always necessary for university or independent research positions.
The course should cover science subjects including biology, chemistry, advanced mathematics, ecology, botany, physiology and vertebrate zoology. In college, classes that cover anatomy, wildlife management, and cell biology will be helpful. Internships and volunteer work can also be of great help.
The required number of years to become a zoologist can vary depending on the position you want to achieve. For example, a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation or Animal Health and Behavior takes 4 years, which is the basic level of zoological education required to enter the field.
Is It Time To Shut Down The Zoos?
A master’s degree will typically take an additional 2 years and may require an additional 30 hours of field-specific practical work. Advanced positions may even require a Ph.D. – which could lead to another 5-7 years of academic rigor.
For a zoologist, educational requirements usually do not include certifications or licenses. There is currently no national certification for zoologists in general, however certain areas of zoology may have their own certifications. For example, a zoologist working in the field of marine biology may consider obtaining a SCUBA certification for deep-water research. Others may prefer to update their GIS certification to continue collecting data effectively in the field. Online undergraduates can even choose to major in environmental GIS.
A minor in zoology covers many aspects of animal biology, including their cell biology and genetics. Students can focus on specific areas of study within zoology, such as ornithology.
A degree in animal health and behavior provides the necessary skills and knowledge to care for animals in captivity and in the wild with an emphasis on
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