Kid Territory:Jobs: Watching, Listening, and Recording
One of the ways to observe giant pandas is through the cameras mounted in and around the exhibit. They’re the same ones you see on Panda Cam!
A panda research technician collects a panda scent mark sample for use in an experiment on the persistance of scent marks in the environment.
A wildlife scientist checks up on animals that have been released back into the wild.
Radio telemetry helps scientists and researchers track down animals in their native habitats.
What we do
We watch animals! Some of us observe their behavior, or actions, at the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park. And some of us go into the wild to check up on animals that have been released there, or to help with their release. It is very important for us to carefully record everything we observe. That way the information can be shared with others to help the animals we study. Many of us work on the giant panda project, watching how pandas use their sense of smell to communicate with each other, what “toys” they like to play with at the Zoo, and much more. We may use radio telemetry to track animals in the wild, finding out where they go for food or water, or how big their home range is.
What’s cool about this job
When you watch just a few animals for a long time, you get to know each one’s unique personality. It usually makes you ask more questions about why they do what they do! And many of us get to travel around the world to observe animals in the wild. It’s great to see them in their natural habitats. Some of us have been lucky enough to witness a birth. That’s something you never forget!
Job challenges
Animal observation requires very detailed work. There are certain ways to record behavior that you see, and each of us needs to record that action in the same way. We also have to pay careful attention to what the animal is doing. For example, is the panda chewing on a piece of bamboo, a pinecone, its paw, or something else? And sometimes when we travel abroad, the living conditions are not the same as they are at home!
How this job helps animals
Those of us who help with recovery projects for endangered animals can make recommendations and policies, based on what we observe, that directly affects the survival of a species. Zoos and other conservation organizations need accurate information about the animals they are saving and how they “make a living” in the wild.
How to get a job like this
This job requires patience (to sit quietly while observing an animal), attention to detail (to notice every tiny thing an animal does), the ability to take careful notes, and be good with numbers (as everything you observe needs to be tabulated for analyzing). If you can, volunteer for hands-on research projects with local natural history museums or wildlife care centers. Many of these jobs require a degree in biology, anthropology, or psychology. If you like to ask questions to learn why things are the way they are, then a science career like ours could be just right for you!
