Want to protect wildlife and help it thrive? Make an impact with a wildlife science career.
Australia’s precious wildlife is under pressure more than ever before. Many of Australia’s iconic species are facing threats from:
- land clearing
- climate change
- altered fire regimes
- invasive pests.
The wildlife-human interface is also becoming critically important in the management of agricultural and urban landscapes and threats from zoonotic diseases.
Researchers at The University of Queensland are on the frontline of wildlife management – both in the field and captive management. Every day, our students and scientists are working to protect species on an individual and population level. They’re involved in hands-on conservation projects such as:
- saving koalas from chlamydia outbreaks
- creating safe havens for bilbies
- better understanding the breeding behaviours of wombats.
And that’s just a snapshot of the amazing things people are doing with their wildlife science careers. In this article, we'll explore the many benefits of studying this fascinating and rewarding field at UQ.
Incredible hands-on experiences
Hands-on learning is at the heart of UQ’s wildlife programs. In the Bachelor of Wildlife Science, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with animals to better understand their behaviour, handling and wellbeing. Find out how ecology weaves into the successes and challenges of species protection. Learn how critical factors like diet, animal husbandry and habitat intervention can improve the future of threatened species.
The Hidden Vale Research Station, operated in partnership with the Turner Family Foundation, was created to develop innovative and globally significant solutions for wildlife management and conservation. The centre is a cutting-edge teaching, research and community engagement facility located on the property of Old Hidden Vale at Grandchester in South East Queensland. The facilities and resources here include:
- interpretation and engagement spaces
- veterinary clinic
- lecture theatre
- office spaces
- a vast range of equipment
- unique wildlife housing and breeding facilities
- research areas equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
The facility houses a diverse range of native wildlife including both common and threatened species, and researchers have access to over 10,000 hectares of research-focused land across multiple properties. This exceptional fusion of land, facilities, resources and partnerships uniquely supports innovation and applied research, critically including valuable long-term research.
As a wildlife student, you’ll also have access to the UQ Native Wildlife Teaching and Research Facility, which actively supports teaching and research in native wildlife and contributes to the conservation of Australian ecosystems.
This unique facility allows you to participate in captive breeding programs for two critically endangered species: the bridled nailtail wallaby and the mahogany glider. For teaching and research purposes, it also maintains colonies of fat-tailed dunnarts, eastern blue-tongue lizards and central bearded dragons, and it houses a black-headed python.
A UQ student and wildlife officer interact with a bettong in the wildlife enclosure at Hidden Vale Research Station.
Transferable skills for any industry
UQ wildlife graduates pursue diverse wildlife science careers. Our programs allow you to pick up critical skills in:
- field monitoring
- data analysis and synthesis
- communication
- hypothesis modelling
- strategy
- project management.
Research that makes a difference
If you're interested in conducting impactful research that achieves real results for Australian wildlife and their habitats, you might consider studying a Master of Animal Science or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. Our Bachelor of Wildlife Science students also have the chance to develop their research skills with an optional honours year, or through our Summer and Winter Research Programs. Below is a snapshot of some of the exciting research our PhD students are conducting.
Preserving a future for koalas
At UQ, you'll have the chance to work on meaningful projects and learn from conservationists with years of expertise.
Wildlife researcher and PhD candidate Patricio Dandy Palacios is helping build a genetic safety net for koalas facing disease and habitat loss. Working alongside Dr Andres Gambini and Associate Professor Steve Johnston at UQ Gatton, Patricio has been developing protocols to collect and transport koala reproductive cells for the state's first coordinated sperm and egg bank.
Samples collected from koalas admitted to wildlife hospitals are transported in temperature-monitored boxes and stored in liquid nitrogen, preserving genetics that would otherwise be lost. Dr Gambini explains that every year, many sick or injured koalas don't survive, and until now, their genetic material has simply been lost. The bank aims to change that, screening samples for genetic value and testing them for Chlamydia pecorum before storage.
“In the future, this material may be crucial to reintroduce genetics back into the population through artificial insemination or IVF embryos,” says Dr Johnston.
Combined with UQ's long history in marsupial reproduction, including the birth of the world's first koala conceived through artificial insemination, this genetic banking project gives future conservation programs more tools to protect the species as populations come under growing pressure.
Giving bilbies a fighting chance
Cassandra Arkinstall completed her PhD with UQ, where she worked with the Save the Bilby Fund to secure the future of the bilby, one of Australia’s most threatened species. She is now continuing her work at UQ as a postdoctoral research fellow.
Through her research and studies, Cassandra has had the opportunity to help introduce bilbies from captive breeding facilities at Charleville to a predator-proof reserve at Currawinya National Park, 1000 kilometres west of Brisbane.
“As part of my PhD project, I was able to monitor the health and movements of the bilbies, using small, specialised tracking devices attached to their tails,” says Cassandra.
“Bilbies are nocturnal, solitary animals, and in the past they’ve proven difficult to track in the wild, so there’s still a lot to learn about their behaviour.”
The miniaturised GPS tracking units recorded movement pathways, enabling her to assess home ranges and the location of burrows. The small, ground-dwelling marsupial once inhabited 70% of the continent, but it now faces an uncertain future due to introduced predators and habitat change. With Cassandra’s efforts, the bilby may have a fighting chance.
Wildlife skills for a challenging future
As human development expands, new skills and approaches to manage human-wildlife interactions are vital, both in urban and agricultural settings. In this field, you can work to protect animals in agricultural, urban and semi-urban environments while also minimising impacts on human environments. Help build win-win scenarios by learning cutting-edge solutions here at UQ.
You can study wildlife at an undergraduate level through our Bachelor of Wildlife Science, which offers a choice of two majors:
If you've already completed undergraduate studies or wish to extend your knowledge, our Master of Animal Science offers two fields of study to choose from:
