Cross Breeds

What degree do I need to work with wild animals?

I want to work with wild animals either in a zoo or in a wildlife sanctuary; I would like to administer their medicine, prepare their diets, and study and observe them. What field would be best for me: veterinary technology or zoology?

Public Comments

1. Biology, Zoology I think?
2. Zoology is the study of the behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals. A veterinarian treats and diagnoses sick animals. Which do you prefer to do? Zoology usually pays more and you get to work with more animals, and you don't just give them shots and operate them; you interact with them to get a response. But it is not for the faint of heart. You might need to work with very dangerous animals and you have to be willing to be attacked, because it CAN happen. Some zoologists are also veterinarians, but it requires more years in college. Good luck!
3. There are several different careers that would fit the activities you would like to do. Animal caretakers in zoos or wildlife sanctuaries provide most daily care for the animals in their charge. This can include preparation of meals, administration of medication, and making daily observations of their behavior to look for any changes that could indicate the presence of a medical problem. Many will also arrange enrichment activities for the animals to keep them active. Jobs in this field usually require a Bachelor's of Science degree (B.S.) in Biology or Zoology as well as practical experience (e.g. volunteering at a zoo or sanctuary). Veterinary technicians are in many ways analogous to human nurses. Like veterinarians they are more involved in the medical side of animal care and not so much the observation or study. To be a vet tech you need to enroll in a veterinary technology program and to be a full fledged veterinarian you'll need both a B.S. in Biology and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree. Biologists or zoologists are researchers who study animals. You would be less likely to have regular physical interaction with animals and not perform as much day to day care in this field but you would get to spend a lot of time observing them. To enter this field you would at the very least need a B.S. in Biology or Zoology as well as a Master's of Science degree (M.S.) and probably a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD.) if you're really serious. My advice to you would be to either volunteer or job shadow at a number of different places such as zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, veterinary clinics, etc. to get a feel for what area you might be most interested in. Most of these places are more than willing to show interested students around so don't hesitate to give them a call. Once you've done this you'll have a better feel for what each field involves and which meshes the best with your career goals.