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Want a wildlife career?
There are many directions to take when choosing a career
with wild animals:
Zoos.
Working at most zoos will surround you with wild animals,
however, don't expect to have much contact with many of the animals. They
typically are not handlable. Focus is on care, education, and study. Lots
of hard work and very rewarding. There are AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium
Association) members that will periodically have job openings that do not
require a college degree. But the odds are that without a degree, you will
not get the position because of the fierce competition.
Veterinary.
Exotic vet work is highly specialized. Vet school, in
general, takes as long or longer than medical school. There are many different
species to learn about. Working with exotics is a relatively new field
and they are learning more and more. Most exotic vets have a domestic practice
and do exotics on-call. Some do exclusive exotic work for a zoo. You have
to take into consideration that it can be frustrating because, as opposed
to the trainer/handlers, the animals are very negative toward the vet.
Conditioning tells them that every time this guy comes around, they aren't
feeling well or it's going to be an uncomfortable/scary experience. Extremely
challenging and rewarding, and less competitive than less specialized careers.
Rehabilitation/Research.
This is the field that is a labor of love. Low pay, high
expenses. Most rehabbers are non-profit organizations and are often focusing
on fund raising. Breaking into this field is simplest by contacting the
local wildlife rehaber in your area and doing volunteer work. Research
includes getting grants to study and/or write about wildlife.
Trainer/Handler.
These positions are generally in fields such as parks
that hold animal shows, circuses, and filmwork. The training required to
get there primarily is experience. By starting low (cleaning cages or working
consession stands) and working your way up to apprenticeship. Most trainers
appreciate teaching their employees with their own methods. Therefore,
it requires the least amount of schooling. However, it also requires much
time spent doing work for little or no pay in the beginning years.
Government Jobs.
On a national level there is the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service and the Animal Welfare Division of the U.S.D.A. Every state has
a "Fish & Game" department (each state has their own title for it).
And counties have Animal Control offices. All of these dept's employ biologists,
wardens, veterinarians, etc. Generally, they will all require a college
degree. Contact the gov't agency and request their hiring requirements,
proceedures, and available openings.
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