Opportunities
Wildlife issues have become increasingly visible over recent decades; and that has resulted in a significant growth in opportunities to work for the care, management, welfare and conservation of animal species, from the smallest invertebrates to the largest mammals. Career opportunities are diverse and may include:
- Zookeeping
- Wildlife Surveying
- Animal Welfare or Rescue
- Park Ranger
- Conservation Officer
- Tour Guide, Education or Interpretation Officer.
- Consultant, Writer, Photographer, Researcher
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Paths to a Wildlife Career
Working in wildlife education and interpretation can be a very rewarding and inspiring career choice. Some people are fortunate to secure a paid job easily; but for most, the way into this career will start with study (such as this course), or volunteering (eg. through an animal rescue group or a friends group at a zoo).
Employers don't always advertise jobs; so getting involved with people who work with wildlife can help you get noticed; open up opportunities and build your knowledge and skills at the same time. Our wildlife tutors can provide very useful advice as you work through your studies; and we always encourage our students to seek and follow that advice to help progress along their career path.
To do well and advance your career, you need a passion for animals, a knowledge of wildlife and over time experience that builds and strengthens your skills.
People working with wildlife will often say they love their job even though parts of it may be physically demanding and sometimes dirty work. Being in contact with wildlife and having the opportunity to educate others on the conservation importance of these animals is for some people a dream job.
Training Captive Wildlife
Training animals in captive environments implies experience and knowledge of proper handling and animal welfare, as well as special training skills and cognition or understanding of animal psychology.
Captive animals may exhibit abnormal behaviour or different to that displayed naturally in the wild due to enclosure, social deprivation or even changes in their feeding habits. It is important, therefore, that the trainer is completely aware of each animals’ natural needs and that it is receiving adequate care, nurture, stimulation and discipline.
Good discipline and training can create bond and communication between the animal and its trainer, which, in turn, can lead to the animals' well-being and happiness within the enclosure, as well as during health procedures that the animal might normally reject.
Some animals, however, are easier to be trained than others, whereas others might not have the ability to understand and obey commands, but might have more reasons to be trained. Dolphins, for example, are an excellent example of all the points noted above. Dolphins are natural long distance and fast swimmers, requiring a large open ocean space in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle in terms of physical body needs, feeding and reproductive habits, and psychological development. Therefore, these characteristics may reflect abnormal behaviour if kept in a confined facility, however, dolphins have shown to adapt and perform with joy and motivation to each command a human trainer expects and implies if training and husbandry is properly attained.
This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success.
Enrolling is easy - just go to the top of this page and select your study method and payment option.
If you have any questions about studying with ACS, or want to know more about any of our courses, get in touch with our specialist tutors today.
They will be happy to answer your questions and look at different study options to fit in with your goals.