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Epic careers in wildlife conservation

GVI

Posted: January 20, 2023

Do you have a passion for preserving the planet’s wildlife? Would you love to have a job where you can work close to nature? Then a career in wildlife conservation may be the perfect fit for you.

The field of wildlife conservation offers a wide range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities. From leading safaris as a field guide, to conducting research as a conservationist or researcher, to providing care for injured or orphaned animals as a wildlife rehabilitator.

One of the best things about a career in wildlife conservation is that there are many paths to get into the field. Many roles require a college degree in a related field, such as biology or environmental science, but others are more hands-on and can be entered through apprenticeships or on-the-job training.

One great way to get your foot in the door of the wildlife conservation field is by participating in an internship, research fellowship or professional apprenticeship through GVI. These programs provide hands-on experience and training in a variety of roles and settings, to prepare you for your dream career in conservation. It’s a great fit for motivated people who are looking to gain valuable experience and skills while making a real impact on the conservation of endangered species and their habitats.

Wildlife conservation career opportunities

Field Guides

As a field guide, you’ll lead safaris and other outdoor excursions, providing tourists with an up-close and personal look at the wildlife in their natural habitats. To become a field guide, you’ll typically need a qualification in a related field, as well as experience leading outdoor excursions and a deep knowledge of the local flora and fauna.

Conservationists

As a scientist or researcher, you can work to understand and protect the planet’s wildlife, by studying everything from population trends to threats from habitat loss. To become a conservationist, you’ll typically need a qualification in a related field such as biology, ecology, or environmental science, as well as experience conducting research and analysing data.

Researchers

You’ll focus on scientific research to understand the causes of wildlife declines and to develop solutions to conserve them. They conduct studies, collect and analyse data, and use their findings to inform conservation policies and programs.

Wildlife Rehabilitators

Across the world, there are many wildlife rehabilitation centres and facilities that care for injured or orphaned animals, with the goal of returning them to the wild when possible. They monitor the animals’ health and provide them with food, water, and medical care, as well as rehabilitate them to survive on their own in the wild.

Working with wild animals

In a wildlife conservation career, you’ll might get the amazing opportunity to work with a diverse range of animals, depending on the specific role and location of your job.

Some examples include:

Jaguars

Assist in monitoring and researching jaguar populations, as well as working on conservation efforts to protect their habitats in Costa Rica.

Asian Elephants

Monitor and study the behaviours of Asian elephant in Thailand. You can help to protect their habitat in the mountains, and help rehabilitate elephants that were previously used in the tourism industry.

Whales and Dolphins

Conduct research on cetacean populations to contribute to conservation initiatives. You can also help to raise awareness amongst tourists about sustainable tourism, fishing and boating practices in places like the Canary Islands.

Gibbons

Help to protect the forest habitats of these primates in Thailand, and monitor their behaviours and populations.

Lemurs

Travel to Madagascar to help fight deforestation to preserve the jungle habitat of endangered lemurs. Assist with monitoring, behaviour and data capturing.

Rhinos

Assist anti-poaching efforts to protect critically endangered black and white rhinos in South Africa. Help to monitor and study populations.

Sea Turtles

Help to protect nesting beaches and monitoring hatchling populations, or participate in sea turtle rehabilitation programs in places like Thailand, Seychelles, Greece and Mexico.

No matter which path you choose, a career in wildlife conservation offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the world while experiencing the thrill of working with some of the most awe-inspiring animals on the planet.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in wildlife conservation, GVI offers a great way to build your career by participating in relevant, practical programs. So why wait? Start exploring your options today, and who knows, you could be leading a safari or rehabilitating animals in the near future.

Speak to us about special offers

Everyone’s invited. Get up to 80% of your program fees covered.

GVI Foundation Grants are now available for conservation programs abroad. Up to GBP 5,000 based on your motivation and circumstances. Apply by 31 Oct.

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