Wildlife/zoological veterinary science isn't for people who aren't passionate about the animals. In fact, to become a wildlife vet, you need to put in equal money and years into education as you would need to become a doctor or surgeon, but in the end you would get much less pay. Yet wildlife veterinary medicine really is where my interest lies.
As a wild animal veterinarian, I would get the opportunity to work with exotic animals in a steady environment like a zoo, research facility, or rehabilitation center. I would also be able to travel and work in different countries treating different animals. The options I would have would allow me to live out my dream and travel and see animals in their natural habitats and interact with them for as long as I want, and when I decide to settle down in one place, I could still do that.
I really want to make a difference with conservation of animals and prevention of extinction, and even working in a zoo I'd be able to make a difference in that way. Many zoos have breeding programs to breed endangered species in hope of reviving their populations to healthy numbers. Zoo vets are instrumental to this process; therefore in being a zoo vet I'd really be able to at least try to make a difference.
Most veterinarians have to choose a specialty within the field, especially zoo vets, since there are so many species you would come across. I would specialize in mammals, since I am most interested in them. Being a zoo vet would be a hard path but extremely rewarding path for me. A wildlife biologist usually has to focus on only one or two specific species. However, as a zoo vet, I'd come across dozens of different species on a day to day basis.
People often tell me that taking an occupation based on my passion may not be the best thing. However, I can't imagine myself doing anything else. Zoo vets go through about 6 extra years of education than normal companion animal vets, and have to pass several certification tests, but at the end of the day, they earn less than other vets. Despite this, wildlife veterinary medicine is what I want to do.
http://allthecreatures.org/animals/a-healthcare-career-with-animals.html
http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/pandas/tai-shan/baby-panda-pictures/seven-twelve-weeks-5.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/08/12/GA2010081201896.html
http://www.oregonzoo.org/gallery/term/75/0?type=image&items_per_page=24
http://www.elliottgarber.com/do-you-want-to-be-a-zoo-vet-national-zoo-veterinary-externship/
