Key Takeaways:
- Zoologists monitor wildlife to ensure healthy conditions and the continuation of species.
- They educate the public on species’ conditions, promoting conservation efforts and safety.
- Zoologists perform lab tests and care for injured animals, ensuring their return to natural habitats.
There are many reasons someone might pursue a career as a zoologist. One primary reason for following this career path, not surprisingly, is a person’s abiding love of animals. Animal lovers are often fueled by the desire to tend to animals and plan for their future well-being, individually and as a species.
Zoologist Job Description
It is easy to understand why people understand the choice to become caretakers for animals, based on having a lifelong affection for them. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in zoology, it will be helpful to take a look at a zoologist’s typical day in order to make a realistic choice about pursuing this life-science field.
Featured Programs
Following is a list of zoologist duties:
1. Monitor Wildlife
A passion for the well-being of animals and their balance among humans and the world are primary reasons that most people study zoology. Regardless of where a zoologist decides to work, it is likely that they will have opportunities to observe wildlife in its habitat, according to About Science. Zoologists focus on existing conditions for the animals, as well as work to preserve healthy conditions to ensure the continuation of the species.
2. Liaise With the Public
Whether working at a zoo or for a wildlife reserve, zoologists work to inform the public about the conditions of certain species, such as those listed as endangered. This type of information helps to prompt the public to help in the efforts to protect animals from extinction or any unnecessary risks. Further, a zoologist teaches the public about a park or wildlife reserve’s many features, including information about how to stay safe while viewing wildlife and how to help preserve the area and its natural inhabitants.
3. Perform Testing and Lab Functions
Zoologists may need to collect a blood sample from an animal population they suspect may be at risk or soil samples to learn why there is a problem with particular plant life. Once they have these samples, they need to perform the appropriate testing to understand the problem they are facing, as well as how to create a pathway to recovery in each situation.
4. Care for Injured or Sick Animals
Zoologists often help sick, orphaned or injured animals to help get them back to their natural habitat as quickly as possible, once fully recovered. It is important that these professionals understand all the federal guidelines and necessary permits associated with particular animals before performing rescue and recovery missions.
5. Set Up Equipment to Study Environmental Concerns
Zoologists who focus on plant life and waterways often spend time conducting studies that require them to set up equipment that collects residue or pollutants from businesses like manufacturing plants or any place with smokestacks or runoff. These types of studies are important to the health of the physical environment, as well as to any animals and marine life in the area.
Zoologists Have the Chance to Make the World a Better Place
Zoologists serve animals and the earth in special ways. The work is often complex and even somewhat physically demanding at times, but most people who pursue this field expect such conditions. Someone with a passion for conservation and environmentalism can find great satisfaction in pursuing a career as a zoologist.
See also:
- Best College Animal Behavior Programs
- Bachelor’s Oceanography
- Bachelor’s Marine Biology
- Bachelor’s Marine Science