Cross Breeds

what is it called when you work with wild animals?

i was watching animal planet and i wanted to research more on the people that raise wild animals like lions and panthers in captivity. i would really like to know what that job is called or what kind of field it is in!

Public Comments

1. Not sure why you would want to raise wild animals in captivity unless you work at a zoo. Otherwise, wild animals should be in the wild. If you work as a zookeeper it is unlikely that you would end up in the nursery raising baby wild animals, as most people want to work in this part of the zoo, so there is a lot of competition. There are also wildlife rehabs that end up with big cats and other wild animals that someone once had as a pet that they could no longer handle. Most of these animals live out their entire lives there because they cannot be released and many times cannot be placed in zoos. You can usually volunteer for these types of rehabs. Not sure where you live..but here is a link to one not far from me: http://www.wildlifewaystation.org/common/page.php?ref=home&MERCURYSID=5fc50b89f2fd269cd5fd6060e1be3669
2. Nadine my dear, there is a lot of stuff on tv where people seem to be working and doing great things with wildlife. Most of it is junk. Real wildlife biologist don't raise animals, don't keep them in pens and zoos, don't make movies, don't handle them unless absolutely necessary and are not rich and famous. As far as I am concerned the people that work in zoos are no more than glorified prison guards. Most do not have biology or zoology degrees. Most spend their time feeding and cleaning up. I have about the same opinion of these people that buy exotic animals like lions, then hold them in small enclosures and have to baby sit them everyday. I've been in the profession a long time. I know one thing for sure. Loving wild animals is NOT a good reason for wanting to work with them. You will be disappointed. I'd say wait until you get to college. Take a few semesters of biology. Then see how you feel.
3. Zoologist or Wildlife biologist.
4. NO