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Careers in Zoo Education >> Flamingo
Researcher
 Flamingo Researcher
Official Title: Field Scientist, Latin America Program,
International Conservation, WCS
 “Don't let anyone tell you, ‘you can't do it.’ Conservation is a multidisciplinary profession. You can come at it from many different places: from the science side, the social, the economic, the legal, even the artistic.”
Felicity was always successful in her science and math classes. She was also fascinated with nature and loved the outdoors so she spent a lot of time hiking and camping. She realized that she wanted to make a career of studying nature and biology. When she was in college, Felicity came to understand that the environment was in trouble. This led her to focus more on conservation biology.
Felicity is a researcher associated with WCS and is currently tracking Andean flamingos in South America that have been fitted with satellite transmitters. The transmitter sends information on the bird’s location that can be plotted on a map. Felicity and her colleagues can then know how and where the birds spend their time, and determine which are important areas for their survival.
Working for and with international conservation organizations helps Felicity feel like she is making the world a better place. Conservation is a global concern. Some countries that have a rich biodiversity and important natural areas may not have adequate resources to devote to conservation. That’s why it’s important for the international community to share resources, expertise, and political influence, and work with local people to protect wildlife and wild lands.
Felicity believes that many skills are necessary for conservation efforts to be effective. If you have a passion for nature and a commitment to conservation, chances are you can find a place in the field based on your interests.
Visit the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) 's Work on the Wild Side for more information about wildlife-friendly careers. Work on the Wild Side is part of WCS's Teens for Planet Earth website.
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