Wildlife veterinarians are licensed medical professionals who specialize in treating many different types of wildlife, including birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. They may work in a veterinary office setting, in the field or a combination of both. Free-ranging wildlife veterinarians usually work for federal, state, or tribal fish and wildlife agencies (FWAs), or non-government organizations.1 Working closely with wildlife biologists, these veterinarians provide technical expertise to government agencies to conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations and help recover endangered species.
In general, wildlife rehabilitators and zoo/wildlife/exotic species veterinarians focus on clinical medicine and the health of individual animals. Free-ranging wildlife veterinarians focus on the health of wildlife populations and ecosystem health.2
The Veterinary Education Track
While there various routes toward becoming a wildlife veterinarian, all of them involve completing an undergraduate degree, applying to vet school, getting accepted and completing the veterinary medical program (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or DVM in the U.S.). Acceptance into a veterinary medical program requires a strong background and good undergraduate performance in the sciences, particularly biology.
Once accepted to a veterinary medical program, students interested in wildlife veterinary medicine can focus on different education tracks, certificates, and other programs in wildlife medicine, conservation medicine and public health now offered by many veterinary schools. After graduation from a veterinary medical program, aspiring veterinarians must still pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) to become eligible to be professionally licensed to practice in the United States.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is the most prominent veterinary organization, which represents around 100,000 practitioners. The vast majority of practicing U.S. veterinarians maintain a membership with the AVMA. The American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians (AAWV) is comprised of members from a variety of US states and territories, Canadian provinces and territories and foreign countries. Their members are veterinarians, students and wildlife professionals.
Many free-ranging wildlife veterinarians working for state and federal wildlife agencies also hold a graduate degree in wildlife ecology or a related field. This forms a good foundation in conservation and ecosystem health, and can also help with job offers.1
Wildlife Veterinarians: Career Options
Veterinarians sometimes work primarily as small animal, equine, or large animal veterinarians and combine one of these career paths with wildlife work. Other wildlife veterinarians choose to work exclusively with native wildlife species or exotic animals. Some career paths chosen by wildlife veterinarians include veterinary pharmaceuticals, the military, government organizations, research facilities or labs, wildlife rehabilitation centers, zoos, museums, aquariums, or in academic institutions as professors or biology instructors.
As in traditional veterinary practices, veterinarians who are board certified in a particular discipline (ophthalmology, oncology, surgery, etc.) typically enjoy higher salaries due to their more extensive experience and education.2
Duties of Wildlife Veterinarians
The duties of wildlife veterinarians usually include sedating animals for procedures, performing examinations, performing surgeries, prescribing medications, evaluating and treating wounds, taking x-rays and ultrasounds, giving vaccinations, taking blood samples, administering fluids, cleaning teeth, assisting with captive breeding programs and providing care for young animals abandoned by their parents (or whose parents have been lost due to poaching, accidents, etc.).1
Some wildlife veterinarians work in conjunction with wildlife managers at rehabilitation facilities. In such cases, they also need to be well-versed in interacting and communicating effectively with veterinary technicians, wildlife officials, members of the public and, in some cases, the press.
Many veterinarians work some nights, weekends, and holidays, and some wildlife veterinarians have schedules that involve “on call” time for treating emergency cases. It is common for veterinarians to put in 50 or more hours of work per week. In the case of wildlife veterinarians in the field, this can amount to significantly more or less on a seasonal basis.1 Some wildlife veterinarians conduct research or treat patients in the field, which can involve travel for some practitioners.
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