SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Aquatic Biologist
  • Conservation Biologist
  • Fish and Wildlife Biologist
  • Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist
  • Fisheries Biologist
  • Forest Wildlife Biologist
  • Habitat Biologist
  • Wildlife Biologist
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What do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists do?

Zoologists and wildlife biologists are scientists who study animals, their behavior, and ecosystems. They focus on understanding the biology, physiology, and interactions of animal species with their environment, including their roles in ecosystems and their relationships to other organisms. Zoologists may specialize in a specific group of animals, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or fish, while wildlife biologists often concentrate on species in their natural habitats, exploring aspects of conservation, management, and preservation of wildlife populations. These professionals conduct field research, collect data, analyze findings, and may be involved in policy development related to animal protection, habitat conservation, and biodiversity preservation. Their work plays a crucial role in informing conservation efforts and increasing public awareness about the importance of wildlife and biodiversity for ecological balance.

What the work actually is

  • Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
  • Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
  • Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
  • Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
  • Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Abilities

  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Knowledge

  • Biology Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Geography Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Post-doctoral training

A normal week

  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Working with Computers
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Geographic information system ESRI ArcGIS software · ESRI ArcView · Geographic information system GIS software · Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Analytical or scientific software Computer modeling software · HATPRO · SAS · Statistical software
  • Data base user interface and query software Database management software · Microsoft Access · Relational database software
  • Spreadsheet software IBM Lotus 1-2-3 · Microsoft Excel

Tools

  • Commercial fishing nets Dip net samplers · Gill nets · Jellyfish scoops
  • Water samplers Benthic samplers · Ekman dredges · Multiplate samplers
  • Sporting traps Culvert traps · Foot snares · Mist nets
  • Entomological catching equipment Aerial nets · Odonata nets · Sweeping nets
  • Specimen collection container Scintillation vials · Specimen collection containers · Water sample collection containers

Who it suits

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

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Questions people ask

How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn in South Africa?

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists do?

Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options, Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations and Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.