Zoology, wildlife biology etc.?

[shoefreak1717]

I really want a career that involves animals, but I'm not sure what the options are. I know zoologists do many different things, but what are they? I'd like to work up close with wild animals or maybe even be a rehabilitator. Do rehabilitators need to be vets or can they just have a degree in zoology? Also, what are some good colleges for zoology/biology majors?

Thank you!

[birdgirl]

No, you do not need a degree to be a wildlife rehabilitator. It does involve training, but not necessarily a degree. See website below on how to become a licensed rehabilitator. You could go to school and major in zoology and earn a Bachelor of Science degree and then go on to vet school, or obtain a job with that degree. You can get a job as a zookeeper, wildlife biologist, biologist, field biologist, etc. with this degree. You can work for the government, non-profits, universities, or an environmental consultant firm. Look below for universities in the US offering zoology and biology majors:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/
http://www.a2zcolleges.com/Majors/Zoology.html

[1ofU]

It is possible (at least in some states, including mine) to become a wildlife rehabilitator without any degree, as long as you can prove to the Department of Fish and Game or whatever similar State agency in your State, that you know what you're doing.

However, a degree in the biological sciences with a good dose of wildlife related courses is a big help and will likely improve your chances of success. At the undergrad level, You can either major in Biology, Zoology, or Wildlife Biology, depending on how the college organizes its curriculum. As far as good colleges, your best bet is to talk with your guidance councilor. There are scads of them.

A BS in Biology will open up numerous opportunities for working with wild animals, especially if it comes from a school with a good curriculum in wildlife biology or wildlife ecology.

[Rudra]

Love with animal is good . Look dear Zoology gives you the knowledge about different species of animals . Suppose you went to wild a found a strange animal then it feels good to be a zoology person . But if you look around all the wild life activity is based in conservation and rehabilitation now a days. So if you have a vets degree you may cope with that situation better.

But from your side, as soon as you go to a specialization your scopes will be narrower. So if you wish to be a vet , rest of your life will pass being a vet. But if you do BS in zoology you can access a broad range a of fields. Or you can go to research too..........

hence I think zoology will be a wise option ...

Good luck

[Enrique García]

Well i don´t know about zoology career, but in biology you can handle wild animals i did, I handled birds snakes, insects. In Veterinary you have a close contact eith the animals, in biology we just took biometries and in many cases blood samples, but in veterinary you will touch handle an all, only that in veterinary they work more with domestics animals.