Wildlife Biology

What is a Wildlife Biologist?

• Wildlife biologists are scientists who observe and research animal behaviours.

• Researchers also study the characteristics of certain species and decide the role of creatures in particular environments and/or how researchers communicate with humans.

• They also perform various tests to either improve our understanding of a species or see how humans affect the environment in question.

• Many Wildlife biologists may focus on a specific area of study identified by habitat or organisms.

• A few of these fields are Entomology, Marine Biology, Limnology, Ornithology, etc.

• It is absolutely critical for wildlife biologists to maintain the current state of our ecosystem and to deepen our knowledge of the other species who share our world with us.

What are the skills required?

• Outdoor travelling

• Adaptation

• Critical thinking & observation

• Problem-solving Skill

• Emotional Stamina & Stability

What does wildlife Biologist do?

• Most wildlife biologists spend most of their time doing fieldwork, studying animals in their natural environments.

• Several Wildlife Biologists work in labs or offices, but for limited amounts of time, many are only in those places.

• They need to spend time in remote locations without modern comforts and work for research purposes for long hours.

• Many types of work will demand that you have little interaction with others, potentially straining relationships and personal emotions.

• Wildlife Biologists help in evaluating the Impact of Immigrant Wildlife

• They assist in developing Environmental Policy

• Educational Programs

• Formulate and Develop Plans to Protect Endangered Species

• Work to Improve Animal Habitats

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What are the Job Prospects after acquiring a degree in wildlife biology?

One has to write a TIFR GS entrance exam conducted by the Tata Institute of Fundamental research after post-graduation.

Following are the different field for a Biologist:

• Research Biologists

• Research Assistant

• Wildlife Biologist

• GIS Specialist

• Conservation Ecologists

• Conservation Geneticist

It will take a Master's or a PhD degree to secure a job that needs expertise.

One has to do a PhD to gain funding for independent research positions and university research positions.

A career in wildlife biology

• The students work with research laboratories

• Central and state natural resource departments

• Conservation groups

• Forest companies

• Forest research institutes

• Wildlife research institutes

• Zoological parks, sanctuaries

• Private consulting firms after completing the postgraduate course in wildlife sciences and related courses.

• They can also work in government services and in organizations that provide the animals in an artificial environment with a stable ecosystem.

What is the expected Salary at the start?

• The average salary at entry level for a Wildlife Biologist in India is Rs. 2,90,727/yr

• The average salary of a senior wildlife Biologist is Rs. 4,77,624.yr

(Source: salaryexpert.com)

Who are the top recruiters in this field?

• Dr Salim Ali School of Ecology

• Indian Tiger Welfare Society

• Wildlife Trust of India

• Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)

• Protection Society of India

• Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) etc.

• Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

• Regional Resource Centers of Ministry of Environment and Forest Wildlife

• Wildlife Information Liaison Development

• Center for Science and Environment (CSE)

Where can one study wildlife biology?

To get an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology, zoology, or wildlife ecology, you need to have Physics, Chemistry, Biology in 12th standard.

Top colleges to study wildlife biology

• College of Forestry, Kerala

• Manipur University, Imphal

• Manipur University, Imphal

• Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun

• National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore

• Forest Research Institute (Deemed University), Dehradun

Popular colleges to study wildlife biology

• University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

• College of Agriculture and Regional Research Station, Dharwad

• College of Agriculture, Bangalore

• Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal

• University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

Postgraduate Programmes In Wildlife Studies In India

• MSc Wildlife Science- Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

• MSc Wildlife Biology and Conservation- National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS-TIFR), Bangalore, Karnataka. One has to appear for NCBS- TIFR exam to get admission in the institute.

• Masters in Wildlife Biology & Conservation MSc Wildlife Science - Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

• MSc Biodiversity Studies and Management - Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

• MSc Wildlife Management - Kuvempu University, Shimoga, Karnataka.

What is the study material available for this course?

• NCERT books of 11th and 12th standard (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

• The book of Indian Animals-by S.H. Prater

• Indian Mammals -By Vivek Menon

• Natural Selection: Charles Darwin & Alfred Russel Wallace

• General Silviculture for India-Sir Harry George Champion, Shiam Kishore Seth

• Fundamentals of biostatistics khan and Khanum

• Ecology- by Michael L. Cain

• Wildlife Biology: An Indian Perspective

• LIFE SCIENCES (fundamentals and practice) by PATHFINDER.

• Rat Island by William Stolzenburg.

Interesting Facts

• Wildlife Biologists design physically and mentally stimulating habitats for Zoo animals.

• The Lions are found naturally only in India, besides Africa.