Zoology is the study of animals and a zoologist is a scientist who studies animals and their environment or habitats. Zoology can offer a variety of exciting, invigorating and rewarding careers. The glamorous side of Zoology is the involvement in wildlife documentaries on TV such 50/50 the list is endless though. If you are brave enough you can conduct research for example: studying lions in East Africa; insects in the Amazon jungle; whales off Hawaii; or penguins in the Antarctic etc. depending on your fascination. Thus this article aims to inform nature enthusiasts about the scope of Zoology, how one goes about becoming a Zoologist and what employment opportunities currently exist for Zoologists. Cited: ZSSA, 2010.  

Subjects to choose from school

Depending on the qualification you want to achieve, there are two types of zoology qualifications namely:  university degree or a technical diploma. If you want to obtain a university degree, Mathematics as well as Physical Science and Biology (on higher grade) are highly recommended for potential zoologists. But if you want to obtain a technical diploma, Technical qualifications can only be obtained through technikons. Some of these offer 1-, 2-, or 3-year diploma courses in Oceanography, Museum Skills, Laboratory Animal Technology, and Nature Conservation.

Careers and jobs

• Zookeepers are employed by a zoo or aquarium, where they manage and make friends with the animals on display.
• Zoo Curators are in charge of acquiring animals for zoos, either through breeding programs, through buying from other zoos, or very occasionally from the wild.
• Animal and Wildlife Educators work in a public venue, such as a sanctuary, museum or aquarium, the educator creates a range of materials that help visitors to understand the wildlife they are seeing.
• Wildlife Rehabilitators care for ill, injured or orphaned wild animals that have been damaged by bushfires, oil spills, or other major disasters. They are responsible for then releasing the animals back into the wild.
• Animal Behaviorists train zoo employees to interact with and care for animals. They are usually trained in ethology (the study of animal behavior in natural habitats) and have had direct experience working with animals themselves.
• Conservationist work for conservation agencies, reporting on what is impacting on a particular species' survival or on a region's ecosystem.
• Researchers conduct research in private organisations or in university departments, where they also teach students.
• Majority of zoologists work for academic institutions, researching and teaching. A smaller number work for government departments in wildlife management, conservation, and agriculture. Few works for pharmaceutical companies, or other private organizations involved in areas such as biomedical or agro-chemical research and development. Relatively few zoologists are employed by museums and zoos, or within conservation organizations, where salaries tend to be modest and applications far overshadow jobs available. Cited: Alec. 2010.
• For more careers on Zoology, click here.

Sources:

• ZSSA
• Alec

Page Created: 12 August 2010