How to get a job in wildlife conservation or animal welfare

Interested in building a career in wildlife conservation and/or animal welfare? With so many options to explore and organisations to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. We’ve compiled the questions we hear the most and asked our experts for advice. 

What is a wildlife conservationist? 

Wildlife conservationists are people who work to understand animals, plants, ecosystems, and global biodiversity. They focus specifically on the relationship between animals and people and use their knowledge to propose solutions for human-wildlife conflict, poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation, and other issues impacting wild animals. They study how human expansion and activities impact ecosystems and help implement solutions to protect these wild landscapes and marine areas. 

As a wildlife conservationist, you might perform and participate in lab research, field work, advocacy and policy work, community engagement, and more. If you like working outdoors, love animals, and have a passion for protecting the planet and combatting climate change, pursuing a career in wildlife conservation might be for you. 

Wildlife conservationists can work at a variety of organizations. Some are employed by national parks, conservancies, aquariums, zoos, primary and secondary schools, governments, universities, lobbyist groups, or research groups. Others work for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like IFAW. 

There are several different roles available in wildlife conservation. Here is a list of some different jobs related to wildlife conservation: 

• Wildlife photographers 
• Conservation scientists 
• Conservation lobbyists 
• Wildlife policy analysts 
• Foresters 
• Wildlife biologists 
• Wildlife conservation educators 
• Ecological restoration technicians 
• Horticulturists 
• Environmental field technicians 
• Wildland firefighters 
• Conservation fundraising managers 
• Environmental protection agents 
• Conservation studies professors 
• Agricultural technicians 
• Wildlife biologists 
• Wildlife rangers 

Wildlife conservationists need to have good critical thinking along with analytical, decision-making, research, and public speaking skills. They also are passionate individuals who care deeply about animals, people, and the planet. They have optimism in the face of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change and believe in a better future for animals and nature. 

I want to build a career in wildlife conservation. Where do I begin? 

To start a career in wildlife conservation, gaining experience is key. In many cases, this starts with volunteering. 

At the start of your new career, you don’t have to know exactly what you want to do. In fact, it’s often better to be open to a wide range of opportunities so you don’t limit yourself. Volunteering in your spare time is a great way to get involved in a new field and witness first-hand what a lot of different jobs entail, which can give you a better idea of what you’d want to pursue. 

If you think you may want to be a veterinarian or work in wildlife rehabilitation, explore opportunities to volunteer at a local veterinary office or wildlife center. 

If you love to work outdoors and are interested in doing field research, look for volunteer opportunities with a local conservancy. 

Any volunteer experience that you gain is beneficial and will help you not only build your resume but also gain important skills. 

Wildlife conservationists often gain the necessary education for their career by completing an undergraduate degree majoring in environmental science, zoology, biology, or a related field. While it’s not required for many jobs, some wildlife conservationists also earn a master’s and/or doctorate degree, specializing in fields like conservation biology, plant biology, ecology, or marine conservation. 

It’s also important to expand your professional network and reach out to professionals in the field to talk to them about their careers. By reaching out over phone or email, you can connect with individuals who work in wildlife conservation and ask them if they’d be willing to share their wisdom and experiences. You might ask them what their current position is like how they gained experience to achieve their current job, their educational background, and their favorite and least favorite things about working in the conservation field. Not only will this give you a connection in the field, but it will also help prepare you for job applications and interviews, as you’ll have a better idea of what to look for and what to expect. 

What should I study in school to prepare for a job in the conservation field? 

If you aspire to work directly with animals—whether through field research or veterinary care—you’ll want to major in a scientific field that will prepare you with the appropriate knowledge and skills. This includes majors like zoology, biology, animal sciences, ecology, environmental science, or forestry. 

If you’re interested in starting a career that supports animal causes, but you didn’t major in the sciences, don’t worry! Any skillset you have can help contribute to conservation and animal welfare. For example, if you majored in French, Spanish, or another language, your fluency skills could set you apart in a government relations or policy position. If you are experienced in photography or filmmaking, you could join a communications department at a nongovernmental organization (NGO) or become a contractor, capturing content for different organizations. If your background is in accounting, keep an eye out for openings in the finance or legal department of an NGO that inspires you. 

How do I become a wildlife rehabilitator or rescuer? What kind of training do I need to work hands-on with animals? 

Becoming a wildlife rehabilitator or rescuer requires a strong understanding of animal biology. In most cases, to get a job like these, you need a degree in the field of biology, animal husbandry, or ecology. 

But a college degree isn’t the only thing that matters—experience is just as important. Volunteering is a great way to get this hands-on experience with animals and start building a career in this field. 

How should I prepare to get a job after graduation? 

If you’re a college student interested in working with animals in your future career, summer or semester-long internships are the best ways to gain the experience you need.  

Not only will you develop a unique set of skills, but you’ll also gain a better understanding of what it’s really like to work in this sector. Another bonus is that the things you liked—and didn’t like—about your internship will help you navigate your future career possibilities. 

Hear from our experts 

Everyone has a different story for how they got to where they are today in their conservation career. Here are what a few members of IFAW’s team had to say about their career journeys. 

Polen Cisneros, Wildlife Crime programme manager: 

‘My path to this job was not linear at all. After I graduated from college with a double major in Political Science and International Studies, I took an internship at INTERPOL in France. Six months after my internship, I got contracted with its Environmental Crimes Unit and joined the anti-elephant and rhino poaching team. Prior to starting this job, I was unaware of environmental crimes but became passionate about the subject right away. 

‘This led me to pursue a master’s in International Affairs with a focus on International Security and US Diplomacy. After I graduated, I took a job in the private sector, which I really disliked. Thankfully, after a year, I had the tremendous opportunity to do a three-month consultancy with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris working on a research project that focused on the role of corruption and illegal wildlife trade. It was then that I knew that I could dedicate my life to saving endangered wildlife. 

‘Soon after that consultancy, I was hired by IFAW. After all of this zigzagging, I feel extremely lucky to have encountered the opportunity to work in a field that my heart is fully set on.’ 

Guyo Adhi, Communications Officer, East Africa: 

‘I started my career as a writer with The Australian newspaper covering human interest stories that bridge the divide between refugees and host communities in the state of Victoria, Australia. I loved platforming stories that brought to light the determination and resilience of women and girls to escape civil war in Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia, overcome cultural barriers, and chart a path to a brighter future in a vastly different country. Organically, this led me to pursue an opportunity with a leading humanitarian aid agency, the Kenya Red Cross, where I developed storytelling narratives that challenged the role of citizens in stepping up to support vulnerable members of our society during humanitarian emergencies, and natural disasters. I also got to plan, design and execute marketing campaigns that illuminated the work of the Red Cross movement in alleviating human suffering and being present when needed. 

‘An opportunity to work in conservation later came calling from the African Wildlife Foundation in 2017. I’ve always felt intimately acquainted with the natural world from an early age, and the shift from development to conservation felt like a good move. Here, I got the chance to write both short- and long-form stories that educate and empower people by revealing the most pressing environmental issues, moving audiences to seek a deeper understanding of the world around us—and most importantly, inspiring meaningful action to protect it. Six years later, I landed an exciting role with IFAW, where I currently work with key journalists and internal colleagues to source and produce compelling content that brings to the surface environmental threats facing our world, showcasing how IFAW’s programmatic interventions work to empower communities and other stakeholders to address climate change, human wildlife conflict and changing land use plans in order to drive positive impact for people and planet.’ 

Lei Zhou, senior rehabilitator at the Beijing Raptor Rescue Center (BRRC): 

‘I have been interested in animals since I was young. When I work with animals, I can feel the peace and simplicity that comes from their heart and this feeling always makes me fall in love with the animal involuntarily. 

‘After graduating from college, a friend of mine found a public education activity at BRRC and invited me to join. I was lucky to become a volunteer at BRRC and a few years later, I was hired as a raptor rehabilitator. Transitioning from a volunteer to a rehabilitator required a lot of hard work and learning from mentors in the field.   

‘A word of advice for anyone pursuing a career in animal rehabilitation—it’s important to remember that the ultimate goal is to let wildlife be wildlife. You need to understand the animals’ habits, learn rescue-related skills, reasonably arrange cages and meals, etc. It’s important to stay rational while loving them and remember that they belong in the wild.’