Working with wildlife can be exhilarating, rewarding – and undeniably risky. From close encounters with predators to operating in politically unstable regions, many conservation and research roles come with serious hazards.
That said, with the right training, equipment and safety protocols, these risks can often be managed effectively.
Most dangerous wildlife jobs
Anti-poaching rangers
Wildlife crime is one of the largest – and most ancient – criminal enterprises in the world, with poaching posing a significant risk to the survival of species and ecosystems the world over. Elephants are poached for their ivory tusks, rhinos for their horns, and pangolins are hunted for their meat and scales, which are thought of as a delicacy and used in traditional medicines. These activities are illegal, with huge amounts of money at stake for the criminals pursuing them.
Anti-poaching rangers have incredibly dangerous jobs. Not only do they have to protect and preserve the wildlife and its habitats, but they also defend the wildlife from poachers – and humans are often the most high-risk animal you can come across. The threat to rangers is significant, particularly in politically unstable regions, not least because poachers are always armed (and therefore dangerous). Anti-poaching rangers and anti-trafficking rangers patrol landscapes to protect wildlife, working in harsh conditions and with the constant threat of danger.
Prince Williams's BBC Earth docuseries Guardians explores the work of wildlife rangers.
Wildland firefighter
Fire is a major issue in forests, grasslands and other wild areas and wildlife habitats, so firefighting is a crucial role in protecting human life, habitats and wildlife. Sometimes, controlled fires are introduced in areas with a build-up of combustible materials to promote the growth of native vegetation and enhance habitats for wildlife. These need to be safely managed by firefighters.
Wildland firefighters face risks of smoke inhalation, being hit by falling trees and debris, and the usual threats posed by potential interactions with unsuspecting wildlife.
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Bush pilot
Bush pilots fly small aircraft over remote regions, sometimes used in conservation efforts for monitoring, surveying and logistical support. As with many jobs in wildlife-rich areas of the world, political instability and armed conflicts pose further challenges, with security considered a high priority.
Small aircraft are more vulnerable to weather conditions, which can be especially unpredictable in remote regions. Navigation can also be challenging in these areas, with no support from air traffic control when flying outside controlled airspace. Plus, bush flights usually land on fairly improvised landing strips, which can be rough and unprepared.
Wildlife rehabilitators
In sanctuaries or rehabilitation centres, wildlife rehabilitators are charged with caring for unwell, injured or orphaned animals and nursing them back to health and transferring them back to the wild.
While this is not necessarily a dangerous job, there are always risks associated with handling wild animals, such as bites, scratches and exposure to disease. Proper training, safety precautions and awareness of potential risks are vital for staying safe in the job.
Find out how to become a wildlife vet here.
Species researcher
Researchers in close proximity to individual species face the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases – infectious diseases that can be transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. Increased hygiene measures, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and biosecurity measures can decrease these risks.
Marine biologist or rescue officer
Marine biology takes place underwater by its very nature, so often requires scientists and those involved in fieldwork to scuba dive in remote or predator-heavy waters. Marine rescue officers assist in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, sick or stranded animals in the ocean.
This presents the usual risk of interaction with dangerous animals, as well as those risks associated with diving: decompression sickness and equipment failure. Challenging weather conditions can exacerbate the risks underwater, so precautions must always be taken.
- How to become a marine biologist: tips to land your dream job and spend a lifetime in the ocean
- How to start scuba diving, so you can explore endless magical underwater wonderlands
Park ranger
In many parts of the world, park/wildlife rangers and anti-poaching rangers do the same job. This is usually in areas where poaching is one of the most prominent risks to wildlife, and the resolution of tensions between humans and animals is of utmost importance.
Wildlife rangers or park rangers are usually responsible for protecting and monitoring populations of wild animals in national parks and wildlife reserves. This involves daily and multi-day patrols across vast landscapes, often in remote areas. There are dangers involved if methods of communication fail, as well as the risks associated with extreme weather and working long hours a long way from help.
Fishers
This might be a slightly different type of wildlife job, but fishers in Britain have a one-in-20 chance of being killed on the job during their working lives. Alaskan king crab fishing is considered to be the most dangerous fishing job, due to the extreme weather in the North Pacific Ocean, heavy equipment and icy conditions.
Discover more amazing wildlife stories from around the world
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- When this photographer dived into a kelp forest, he was met with a truly breathtaking sight
- Researchers headed into a remote region of Cuba on a mission to save the 'world's most beautiful snail'
- Why 8 Texan pumas were released in Florida – and what happened next
Top image: A photo captured in 2008 of the first sighting of a mountain gorilla by Congolese Conservation Authorities in over 15 months, as the Gorilla Sector of the Park had been occupied by the rebel movement CNDP. (credit: Getty Images)