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Wildlife Biology
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Don't you love seeing baby tigers or a big gorilla in the zoo? Some people love animals more than others but none more than wildlife biologists. Biologists love animals and their natural habitats. A biologist's job is to find ways to take care of animals and the planet. Biologists get to interact and study animals and figure out how they live. To become a wildlife biologist you need to put in a lot of schooling, time, and effort. The payoff of these is the exotic traveling, the time you spend with the animals, and of course, a paycheck.
Biology is the science of life and of how living things work (Eyster 2011, 1). As a wildlife biologist one should have a love for animals. In this career, biologists research animals and their environments to help keep them alive. They also study animals to detect diseases, learn their reproductive processes, and the behavior and structure of the animals. Many biologists spend a majority of their time in an enclosed lab, but some travel to offsite locations and animal habitats to collect data (Burton 2010, 1). Also, they work directly with owners of certain land to help them with managing and using their land (Anders 2011, 1). One career option of a biologist could be in research and discovery. This includes discovering something nobody else knew and sharing it with the world (Eyster 2011, 2). Working in healthcare as a physician can also be a career choice with a degree in biology. They are trained to work with Doctors of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy (Eyster 2011, 3). If a student has an interest in writing then he/she can follow a career in scientific writing. These students can write for science journals, magazines or newspapers. Also, school textbooks have to be written for students at all levels. Also technical manuals have to be written for research equipment (Eyster 2011, 4). Government agencies have jobs available in natural resource management and environmental regulation and management (Eyster 2011, 5). Lastly, industries such as biotechnology, food, and agriculture will hire people with foundations in biology and with strong communication skills (Eyster 2011, 6).
There are many requirements included in being a wildlife biologist. First, one must have at least a bachelors degree in biology but most agencies want to see someone with a masters degree (Wilson 2008, 1). To become a non research wildlife biologist, one must acquire a degree in biology and have a minimum of 9 semester hours in mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, and wildlife techniques. Also one must have 12 semester hours in subjects such as zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, and entomology. All candidates must pass these classes listed and have experience in biology. For a research position in these fields, one must acquire a degree in wildlife biology, zoology, or botany. Also, you need 30 hours hours in this type of work and 15 semester hours in physical, mathematical and earth sciences. Nine semester hours of training in mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, principles of population dynamics, or related coursework are required along with 12 hours of zoology subjects and 9 hours of botany. Lastly, 15 hours of two courses combined such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, soils, or geology (Anonymous 2011, 1). Many agencies though, look for a masters degree for a position in research. When looking at schools, look for whether or not the school has internship opportunities. Also, good schools offer programs made for wildlife biologist positions. Classes such as writing, journalism and education can help you stand out when finding a job (Wilson 2008,1 and 2).
There are a wide variety of colleges that offer a degree in wildlife biology. These colleges vary from small research activities to very high research activities. Four year colleges include but are not limited to University of Vermont, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, University of Wyoming, Texas State University-San Marcos, University of North Dakota, Easter Arizona College, Baker University, Friends University, Unity College, Frostburg State University, University of Michigan-Flint, and West Texas A&M University. Tuitions for these types of colleges can vary greatly; University of Vermont- $13,554, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry-$5,891, University of Wyoming- $3,726, Texas University-San Marcos- $6,168, University of North Dakota- $6,726, Eastern Arizona College- $1,520, Baker University- $21,130, Friends University- $19,080, Unity College- 21,690, Frostburg State University- $6,684, University of Michigan-Flint, $7,854, and West Texas A&M University- $5.494, (Anonymous 2011 B, 1).
In a wildlife Biology position one should not expect to get rich. Minimum wage is the expected pay when a career is first started. Agencies such as The Nature Conservancy, are non-profit and do not pay well. Working for State agencies will pay more (Wilson 2008, 3). A biologist working at a museum or similar institutions can make $36,510 annually. Working for religious or grant making institutions can make $42,900 annually. In education a biologist can make $44,120 annually. In the government one can make $53,850 annually. Working professionally or in scientific services a wildlife biologist can make $57,980 annually. Depending on the state, biologists can also make more in earnings. In California a biologist can make $49,490 on the low end or $60,670 in high end. In Baltimore $73,850 is the average annual salary while it is $77,410 in Boston. A biologist in Washington D.C. will make $80,510 on average. In the next decade the field of wildlife biology can expect a 21 percent increase in growth. Competition for these jobs will still be intense even though the growth for these positions is higher than average. To stand out among other biologist one should acquire a Phd (Burton 2010, 2).
There have been many innovations in the field of wildlife biology. One example of this would be GPS tracking and the new technologies therein. In the last 35 years free ranging animals have been studied and tracked with GPS devices. New technologies have emerged since the beginning helping increase the opportunities of studying animals more precisely (Tomkiewicz 2011, 1). GPS technologies offer specific advantages over other technologies such as VHF or very high frequency triangulation techniques. VHF devices are used from aircraft or satellites. GPS can rapidly update movement of animals and can be reviewed to make sure of accuracy. It can also be used in bad weather. Now GPS devices are paired with data transmission technologies and began a new era of animal tracking (Tomkiewicz 2011, 2). Originally GPS devices could take around 50 minutes to start up and allow the user to find animals. Now GPS devices have been upgraded and are easier to use and start up. This was critical to animal tracking and the receiver can be turned off without worrying about the start up, saving battery. It now takes 30 seconds to get a clear view with constant and predictable satellite constellation (Tomkiewicz 2011, 3). Animal research paired with the development of GPS technology will help study many different species in the future as long as the market keeps advancing (Tomkiewicz 2011, 5).
Another advancement in biology is the oral vaccination of free-living brushtail possums. This vaccination can reduce the incidence of tuberculosis. Tb is one of the most significant health problems. It can also be caught by humans easily through the aerosols or unpasteurized cow's milk and is still a problem in countries that are less developed. This can cause livestock deaths and is a threat to endangered species. This can be a break through in helping the world's wildlife (Tomkins 2009, 1).
Biology, the study of life and its functions. Being a wildlife biologist takes hard work and intelligence. Biologists keep the world and its creatures intact. It requires the patience of years of schoolwork in college and the wallet to pay for it all. Nonetheless, a wildlife biologist can feel accomplished knowing that he/she is helping save the planet, one step at a time.
Like all jobs, this one has its ups and downs. I would have to live off of a salary that can be small depending on where I work. I want a job that I can support a family with easily and I will not be in debt after school and buying a house. Besides that I would get to interact with animals and travel to exotic locations for work. But this can come with its own downside because I am allergic to some animals and traveling can get expensive. Honestly I think this job is out of the question for me. I want a job that can support a family even on the low side of the payroll. Also, I like to do logical work and would not mind sitting behind a desk.
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