What does a wildlife veterinarian do?

What is a Wildlife Veterinarian?

Wildlife veterinarians are specialized veterinary professionals dedicated to the health and medical care of wild animals. These experts play an important role in the management of wildlife populations and ecosystems and, due to the interdisciplinary nature of the field, they often work collaboratively with experts in various related fields to address complex current and emerging conservation challenges.

What does a Wildlife Veterinarian do?

Wildlife veterinarians address health concerns, injuries, and contribute to the overall well-being of both individual animals and entire populations, emphasizing the interconnectedness of wildlife health with broader ecological and conservation goals.

Duties and Responsibilities
Wildlife veterinarians perform a variety of tasks related to the health and wellbeing of wild animals. Their responsibilities can be diverse and may include:

• Health Monitoring – conducting health assessments and monitoring the wellbeing of wild animal populations to detect and address potential threats to their health
• Disease Diagnosis and Management – investigating and diagnosing diseases in wild animals, developing strategies to manage and control disease outbreaks, and studying disease transmission within wildlife populations
• Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation – providing medical care and rehabilitation to injured or sick wild animals, often in collaboration with wildlife rehabilitators, with the goal of releasing them back into their natural environments
• Emergency Response – responding to emergencies, such as wildlife disease outbreaks or incidents involving injured or distressed animals
• Fieldwork – performing field research, including capturing, handling, and collecting samples from wild animals in their natural habitats to gather data on population health and ecology
• Data Analysis – after collecting field or clinical data, using statistical and analytical tools to make sense of the information gathered, draw conclusions, and contribute to research findings; this work, conducted in a laboratory, may involve examining blood, tissue, or other biological samples
• Conservation Planning – contributing to conservation strategies by advising on wildlife management policies and participating in efforts to protect and sustainably manage wild populations; implementing population control measures in certain areas to prevent overpopulation and associated ecological imbalances
• Collaboration – working collaboratively with other professionals, such as ecologists, wildlife biologists, conservation biologists, and government agencies, to address complex issues related to wildlife health and conservation
• Policy Advocacy – advocating for policies and practices that promote the sustainable coexistence of humans and wildlife, taking into consideration both animal welfare and environmental conservation
• Education and Outreach – educating the public, wildlife managers, and other stakeholders about wildlife health issues, conservation challenges, and the importance of preserving biodiversity
• Administrative Tasks – updating records, preparing reports, and managing administrative aspects of research projects or clinical cases

Types of Wildlife Veterinarians
Now that we have a sense of the wide scope of wildlife veterinary medicine, let’s look at some different types of wildlife vets, each with their own focus and expertise:

• Clinical Wildlife Veterinarians – These veterinarians provide medical care to injured, sick, or orphaned wild animals. They may perform surgeries, administer treatments, and oversee the rehabilitation process with the goal of releasing animals back into the wild.
• Emergency Response Veterinarians – In the case of wildlife disease outbreaks, environmental disasters, or other emergencies, veterinarians specializing in emergency response may be deployed to provide rapid medical assistance to affected wild populations.
• Wildlife Pathologists – Wildlife pathologists specialize in studying and diagnosing diseases in wild animals. They may work in laboratories, conducting post-mortem examinations (necropsies) to understand the causes of illnesses and contribute to disease management and prevention.
• Wildlife Epidemiologists – Wildlife epidemiologists study the patterns and causes of diseases in wildlife populations. They research and investigate disease transmission, analyze data on disease prevalence, and contribute to strategies for disease prevention and control.
• Field Veterinarians – Field veterinarians primarily work in the natural habitats of wild animals. They may be involved in capturing and handling animals for research, conducting health assessments, and monitoring the health of wild populations. Field vets often collaborate with wildlife biologists and ecologists.
• Conservation Medicine Veterinarians – Conservation medicine is an interdisciplinary field that studies the relationship between human and animal health and environmental conditions. Conservation medicine veterinarians work to identify and mitigate health threats to wildlife, considering this interconnectedness.
• Policy and Advocacy Veterinarians – Some wildlife veterinarians work at the intersection of science and policy, advocating for wildlife conservation and contributing to the development of regulations and management strategies.
• Educators and Outreach Specialists – Wildlife veterinarians may also engage in education and outreach activities to inform the public, students, and other stakeholders about wildlife health, conservation issues, and the importance of biodiversity.

It’s important to note that wildlife veterinarians may engage in a combination of some of these roles throughout their careers. As the field of wildlife health and conservation evolves, new specializations in the field may also emerge.

What is the workplace of a Wildlife Veterinarian like?

Wildlife veterinarians can work for various organizations and institutions that focus on wildlife health, conservation, and research. Among their common employers are:

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers – These centers provide care and rehabilitation for injured, sick, or orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitats.
• Wildlife Conservation and Rehabilitation Organizations – Organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation and rehabilitation, both at local and international levels, often employ wildlife veterinarians. These organizations may focus on specific species or ecosystems and work towards their protection and conservation.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves – Wildlife sanctuaries, reserves, and protected areas may employ veterinarians to monitor the health of wild populations, address medical issues, and contribute to the overall conservation efforts in these areas.
• Zoos and Aquariums – Zoos and aquariums employ wildlife veterinarians to care for the health and wellbeing of captive wild animals. They may be involved in preventive health care, medical treatments, and reproductive management of zoo populations.
• Government Agencies – Wildlife veterinarians may work for government agencies at local, state, or national levels. Agencies such as wildlife departments, conservation agencies, and environmental protection agencies often employ veterinarians to contribute to wildlife management, disease control, and conservation efforts.
• Research Institutions and Universities – Wildlife veterinarians may be employed by research institutions, universities, and academic institutions. In these settings, they can engage in scientific research, teach veterinary and wildlife courses, and contribute to advancements in wildlife health and conservation.
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) – Many non-profit organizations, conservation NGOs, and wildlife advocacy groups employ veterinarians to participate in conservation projects, conduct research, and implement wildlife health programs.
• Private Veterinary Practices – Some wildlife veterinarians work in private veterinary practices that specialize in exotic or wildlife medicine. These practices may provide veterinary services for both domestic pets and exotic or wild animals.
• Consulting Firms – Consulting firms that specialize in environmental and wildlife management may employ wildlife veterinarians to provide expertise on projects related to habitat conservation, environmental impact assessments, and wildlife health.
• International Organizations – International bodies and organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), may engage wildlife veterinarians in global health and conservation initiatives. These roles may involve international travel.

As these diverse workplaces demonstrate, and depending on their specific role and the nature of their work, wildlife veterinarians can find themselves in offices, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, classrooms, and/or fieldwork settings.