What is it like to be a wildlife biologist?

What is it like being a Wildlife Biologist or Zoologist?

• I love animals and wildlife. I am going into high school soon and I am thinking about becoming a Wildlife Biologist or Zoologist. I want to be able to work outdoors and be able to ...show more

• Answer:

  I can answer a couple of parts of your question: 1. Yes, the job can be fun, but it can also be dangerous & hard. If you observe animals in the field, you have to live in their environment & rough it. Being around wild animals is always dangerous. There are stories every year of zoo keepers who are injured &/or killed by their charges; not to mention the death of the Crocodile Hunter. 2. Whether you get to interact with the animals depends upon what path you choose. A zoo keeper gets to interact; a field biologist not so much. In the latter case, the point is to observe the animals without interfering with their natural actions. That's why Jane Goodall's exploits among the wild apes is so amazing. Still, whose to say how much they changed their behavior because of her. (BTW, reading about her life would be an excellent way for you to size up whether this field is for you. Another good set of books would be the "Born Free" series.) If you live near a zoo, most have volunteer programs. You're getting old enough to take part in one of those. That would also be an excellent way to gauge whether this is really what you want to do. Good luck & God bless.