Advice for Wildlife Conservation and Wild Felid Conservation

[Talathel]

So I graduated in 2021 with my BSc in Zoology & Biology. Since then I interned abroad in South Africa in 2022 growing my skills in camera trapping, data collection, bird point counts, and telemetry experience.

In 2024 I got a seasonal position with USGS working with black-footed ferrets and prairie dogs in South Dakota.

The next thing I managed to do was gain my chemical immobilization of animals e-learning certificate and next step is to look for field guide training for Africa. Outside of that I would welcome any advice regarding finding paid internships or jobs (even seasonal) to be able to get more experience.

 

[Daktari JG]

probably not the board for that. Sorry I can't really help and I wish you good luck.
Currently I am not encouraged with the outlook for black footed ferrets 9in the wild, am I wrong?

 

[Talathel]

probably not the board for that. Sorry I can't really help and I wish you good luck.
Currently I am not encouraged with the outlook for black footed ferrets 9in the wild, am I wrong?

It is actually around 400 in the wild now. There is a captive breeding program that has successfully reintroduced them into the wilderness of Montana, Colorado, South Dakota, and also the plains of Canada.

 

[Daktari JG]

well yes I know about the captive breeding program. The problem seems to be that without it
the wild population does not seem to be able to sustain itself because of the myriad of problems
(Plague, distemper etc)

 

[Talathel]

well yes I know about the captive breeding program. The problem seems to be that without it
the wild population does not seem to be able to sustain itself because of the myriad of problems
(Plague, distemper etc)

There are vaccines that are used to prevent those types of diseases. Plague specifically uses the F1-V vaccine for plague prevention and there is another vaccine used against distemper. Usually, biologists will go out and spotlight during evenings to catch and microchip ferrets while also treating and vaccinating new ferrets caught. I took part in some of that work alongside prairie wildlife research and USGS.

 

[DavidBrown]

@Coelacanth18 has had some success finding field jobs and may have some advice.

Do you have any specific career goals? One thing to do might be asking the wildlife biologists that you have worked with in the black-footed ferret program and/or your other past experiences for advice. If there are biologists that you have worked with, especially in government agencies or NGOs, that you admire and aspire to do what they do, asking them how they got where they did and what kind of jobs and experience they needed to get there might provide you with a road map for doing the same.

 

[Coelacanth18]

Outside of that I would welcome any advice regarding finding paid internships or jobs (even seasonal) to be able to get more experience.

This will probably be your best resource for jobs with wildlife conservation:

Search | Natural Resources Job Board

@DavidBrown is definitely right about leaning on the people you've already met for advice on advancing in the field. They may also know about good opportunities for you or know people who are looking for hires at your experience level. It is common in the wildlife field to get new positions through networking and using the relationships you've built in past jobs.