A Wildlife Monitor, or Wildlife Technician, is someone who works in wilderness areas to track and monitor wildlife, gathering information and protecting habitat.
In day to day work you may; use telemetry and GPS equipment to track wildlife, monitor wildlife in their natural habitats, assess health of wildlife, take photographs and collect data, participate in population counts, educate visitors on local wildlife, assist in maintenance, assess habitats, install and maintain camera traps, conduct and develop surveys.
Key Skills Required:
- Knowledge of wildlife and behaviour
- Ability to track animals
- Critical thinking and decision making
- Effective communication skills
- Excellent observational skills
- Physical fitness
Key Points to Know:
- This role involves working outside in all weather conditions.
- You will likely work unsociable hours including evenings and weekends
- A driving license is often required
To be a Wildlife Monitor you will need to:
Similar to the ranger career path, the level of education required depends on the employer and your level of experience. You may find that a degree in wildlife management, conservation or similar subject is necessary or the employer may accept a diploma or field-based qualifications and certificates. Whatever your qualifications, experience is essential.
Estimated average salary: £16,000 – £28,000 annually.
As a Wildlife Monitor, you can anticipate employment in a variety of roles including:
- National Parks
- Conservation Organisations
- Nature Reserves (including privately owned reserves)
Being a Wildlife Monitor is very similar to being a Ranger, although your role is more based on locating and observing wildlife as oppose to interacting with visitors. Wildlife Monitors are generally required in areas where wildlife poaching is a problem or where there are concerns regarding a certain species population. For example; in a small private reserve in South Africa, your role as a wildlife monitor could be to locate and confirm the wellbeing of each of the individual rhino within that reserve, or in Scotland your role may be to monitor the local population of red squirrels. A wildlife monitor may also provide field assistance to biologists.
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Megan Richards
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