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Postgraduate study

MSc in Wild Animal Biology

Apply for the courseExplore all study opportunities
Duration
1 year
Course level
Postgraduate
Qualification
Master of Science
Location
ZSL, Regents Park; Whipsnade Zoo; Royal Veterinary College, Camden & Hawkshead Campuses
Academic partners
Royal Veterinary College

Since its inception this world-class specialist Masters course has produced hundreds of graduates, originating from dozens of countries.

It provides wildlife researchers with a critical understanding of the management of wild animals and the epidemiology, treament and control of wildlife disease. The course provides practical exposure to wild species in a captive setting and an understanding of their health, welfare and conservation. This masters also provides training in research methods relevant to the study of wildlife in both captive and wild settings.

The Masters in Wild Animal Biology is taught jointly by the Royal Veterinary College and the Zoological Society of London. You will benefit from working and studying alongside veterinary graduates taking the MSc in Wild Animal Health as well as learning from internationally renowned experts in their field. 

MSc Wild Animal Biology: Course content

This specialist Masters course is completed over one-year full-time study, commencing in the Autumn. The course is delivered through two terms of lectures, seminars, tutorials and problem-based learning, with modular examinations, followed by a research project over the summer months (May-August), prior to the final assessment.  Teaching covers taxa e.g. mammals, reptiles, birds and the disciplines that influence these taxa, such as epidemiology, infectious diseases, conservation and management. The bulk of teaching takes place at The Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, with time also spent at Whipsnade Zoo and Royal Veterinary College, Camden and Hawkshead Campuses. Both Certificate and Diploma levels of study are available, there are no part-time or distance-learning options available.

The course provides participants with:

  • A critical awareness of current problems in wildlife diseases with implications for wildlife conservation and welfare
  • A new insight into interventions for the health management of captive and free-living wild animals
  • A systematic understanding of the biological principles underpinning wild animal conservation and management, and the epidemiology, diagnosis and  control of wildlife disease
  • Basic competence in veterinary techniques and preventative medicine for wild animals
  • A conceptual and practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create knowledge in the field of wild animal health
  • A comprehensive understanding of scientific skills, including a critical review of the scientific literature, and design and analysis of laboratory or field studies

 

An overview of the course structure, explaining what modules are covered in each term.
For a complete list of programme-level intended Learning Outcomes and modules within the course, see our Programme Specifications

The Course in Photos
Student and zookeeper feeding lettuce to a rhino
MSc WAB students spend a week with an animal team of their choice at either London Zoo or Whipsnade Zoo during their Practical Studies module.
ZSL staff member giving a talk to MSc students
Over 50 ZSL staff members are involved with the MSc courses, including sessions delivered by our animal teams, giving behind the scenes tours and providing students with an understanding of ex situ management practices.
A deer stands looking at a group of students.
Students learn both in a traditional lecture setting and in practical sessions, taking place at ZSL's conservation zoos and off-site locations.
Camera trap being set up by MSc WAB student
Gaining practical skills in field, lab and conservation, MSc WAB students spend time with various teams across ZSL during the Practical Studies module.
Students conducting a post mortem examination on a hedgehog
Students learn directly from our expert staff in pathological investigations, including our Garden Wildlife Health and Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.
Student presenting
The MSc Student Conference is an opportunity for students to share their research.
Entry Requirements

Applicants must have (or expect to receive) a university first or second class honours degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Biology or the veterinary sciences.

We are particularly keen to see evidence of relevant work experience in a zoo, wild animal hospital or in wild animal research.

English Requirements

Visit: MSc Wild Animal Biology - English Requirements

Publications: 1 in 5 students publish their research

Peer-reviewed 

  1. Becker, A., Negrões, N., Díez-León, M., Lafuente-Cartagena, I., Guerra, N., Larrea-Alcázar, D., Boron, V., Arias, M., Sainz, L., Peñaranda, M., Sanabaria, B. and Glikman, J.A. (2026), Hunting, non-timber forestry products, and jaguars (Panthera onca): How livelihoods influence views toward jaguars in protected areas of the Bolivian Amazon. Journal for Nature Conservation https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127128  
  2. Barr, S., Chang, Y.-M., Versteege, L. and Díez-León, M. (2025), What Makes a Mother? Investigating Maternal Success in Ex Situ Cheetahs. Zoo Biology. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21894 
  3. Joyce, L., Spiro, S., Diener, E., Stadler, S., Guthrie, A. 2025 "Retrospective Mortality Review Of Socorro Doves (Zenaida Graysoni) In Zoological Institutions Worldwide: 1993–may 2024," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 56(4), 725-734 https://doi.org/10.1638/2024-0135  
  4. Funk, W.S., Shadbolt, T., Fox, M.T. et al. Identification of Porrocaecum moraveci in red kites in England and Wales, a species of conservation concern. Parasitol Res 124, 61 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-025-08512-1  
  5. Munday, C., Rose, P. 2022. Environmental and Social Influences on the Behaviour of Free-Living Mandarin Ducks in Richmond Park. Animals, 12(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192554  
  6. Perrin, K., Lopez, J., Molenaar, F., Eriksson Titus, S., Trimpert, J., Abdelgawad, A., Clauss, M., Schiffmann, C. 2022. Current surveillance practices for shedding of elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses in breeding and bachelor Asian elephant Elephas maximus herds in Europe. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 10(4):183-187. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v10i4.665
  7. Titus, S., Patterson, S., Prince-Wright, J., Dastjerdi, A., Molenaar, F. 2022. Effects of between and within herd moves on Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) recrudescence and shedding in captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus). Viruses, 14(229).  DOI: 10.3390/v14020229
  8. Freeland L., Ellis C., Michaels C.J., 2020. Documenting aggression, dominance, and the impacts of visitor interactions on Galápagos Tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra) in a zoo setting. Animals 2020, 10, 699; DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040699
  9. Lewis, RN, Chang, Y‐M,  Ferguson, A,  Lee, T,  Clifforde, L,  Abeyesinghe, SM 2020.  The effect of visitors on the behavior of zoo‐housed western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Zoo Biology: 1– 14. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21552 
  10. Mather, E., Fogell, D.J., McCready, M., McInnes, K., Ewen, J.G. 2020. Testing management alternatives for controlling nest parasites in an endangered bird. Animal Conservation, https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12658
  11. Dancer, A.M.M, Burn, C.B. 2018. Visitor effects on zoo house Sulawesi crested macaque (Macaca nigra) behavior: Can signs with ‘watching eyes’ requesting quietness help? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, (February), Vol 211: 88-94 DOI:10.1016/j.applanim.2018.12.005
  12. Fitzpatrick L.D, Pasmans F, Martel An, Cunningham A. 2018. Epidemiological tracing of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans identifies widespread infection and associated mortalities in private amphibian collections. Scientific Reports 8: 13845 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-31800-z
  13. Kock R, Orynbayev M, Robinson S, Zuther S, Singh N, Beauvais W, Morgan E, Kerimbayev A, Khomenko S, Martineau H, Rystaeva R, Omarova Z, Wolfs S, Hawotte F, Radouz J, Milner-Gulland E, 2018. Saigas on the brink: Multidisciplinary analysis of the factors influencing mass mortality events. Science Advances, 4; DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aao2314
  14. Madsen, E, Broekhuis, F 2018. Determining multi-species site use outside the protected areas of the Maasai Mara, Kenya, using false positive site-occupancy modelling. Oryx, doi: 10.1017/S0030605318000297: 1-10 
  15. Ravignani, A., Kello, C. T., de Reus, K., Kotz, S. A., Bella, S. D., Mendez-Arostegui, M., de Boer, B. 2018. Ontogeny of vocal rhythms in harbour seal pups : an exploratory study. Current Zoology, (July), 1-25   https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoy055/5050400                          
  16. Rose PE, Brereton JE, Croft DP, 2018. Measuring Welfare in captive flamingos: Activity patterns and exhibit usage in zoo-housed birds. Applied Animal Behavior Science, 205; pp. 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.05.015
  17. Serna H, Ann Pocknell, Anthony W. Sainsbury, Gabriela Peniche, Damer P. Blake & Katie M. Beckmann 2018 Eimeria spp. in captive-reared corncrakes (Crex crex): results of a GeneScan assay consistent with high prevalence of infection and extra-intestinal life stages. Avian Pathology,            DOI 10.1080/03079457.2018.1451621 
  18. Steele, K., Chadwick, S., Debney, A. Gollock, M. 2018. Variation between European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) stocks in five marshes of the Thames Estuary (United Kingdom). Wetlands Ecology and Management. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11273-018-9628-5
  19. Metz, O, Williams J., Nielsen RK, Masters, N. 2017 Retrospective study of mortality in Asiastic lions (Pathera leo persica) in the European breeding population between 2000 & 2014. Zoo Biol, 36(1): 66- 73   https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21344                                                                                       
  20. Pastorino, G V, Christodoulides Y, Curone G, Pearce-Kelly P, Faustini M, Albertini M, Preziosi R, Mazzola S M. 2017. Behavioural profiles of Brown and Sloth Bears in Captivity. Animals 7(39).  DOI: 10.3390/ani7050039
  21. Pastorino G V, Viau A, Curone G, Pearce-Kelly P, Faustini M, Vigo D, Mazzola S M, Preziosi R. 2017. Role of Personality in Behavioral Responses to New Environments in Captive Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica). Veterinary Medicine International, Article ID 6585380: 1 - 17 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6585380
  22. Yesson, C., Bedford, F., Rogers, A.D. and Taylor, M.L., 2017. The global distribution of deep-water Antipatharia habitat. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 145, pp.79-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.12.004
  23. Agnew, R.C., Smith, V.J. and Fowkes, R.C., 2016. WIND TURBINES CAUSE CHRONIC STRESS IN BADGERS (MELES MELES) IN GREAT BRITAIN. Journal of wildlife diseases, 52(3). DOI:10.7589/2015-09-231
  24. Böhm, M., Williams, R., Bramhall, H., McMillan, K., Davidson, A., Garcia, A., Bland, L., Bielby, J. & Collen, B. 2016 Correlates of extinction risk in squamate reptiles: the relative importance of biology, geography, threat and range size. Global Ecology and Biogeography 25: 391-405. 
  25. Clark A, Silva-Fletcher A, Fox M, Kreuzer M, Clauss M 2016.  Survey of feeding practices, body condition and faeces consistency in captive ant-eating mammals in the UK. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4, 183-195   https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v4i4.207                                         
  26. Januszczak I.S., Bryant Z., Tapley B., Gill I., Harding L., Michaels C.J., 2016. Is behavioural enrichment always a success? Comparing food presentation strategies in an insectivorous lizard (Plica plica). Applied Animal Behaviour Science.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2016.07.009
  27. Logan N, McMonagle E, Drew A, Takahashi E, McDonald M, Baron M, Gilbert M, Cleaveland S, Haydon D, Hosie M, 2016. Efficient generation of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-pseudotypes bearing morbilliviral glycoproteins and their use in quantifying virus neutralising antibodies. Vaccine, 34(6): 814-822  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.12.006
  28. Sangster L. Blake D.P, Robinson G, Hopkins T.C, Sa R.C.C, Cunningham A, Chalmers R, Lawson B. 2016. Detection and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium parvum in British European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). Veterinary Parasitology, 217: pp. 39-44 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.12.006
  29. Lurz PWW, Bertolino S, Koprowski J, Willis P, Tonkin M, Gurnell J 2015. Squirrel monitoring: snapshots of population presence and trends to inform management In: Shuttleworth CM, Lurz PWW, Hayward MW (Eds) Red Squirrels: Ecology, Conservation and Management in Europe. European Squirrel Initiative, UK. Pp281-300 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278301351_Squirrel_monitoring_snapshots_of_population_presence_and_trends
  30. Fuste, E., Obon, E., Olid, L. 2013. Hand-reared common swifts (Apus apus) in a wildlife rehabilitation centre: assessment of growth rates using different diets. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, Vol 1, No 2, October 2013 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258112081_Hand-reared_common_swifts_Apus_apus_in_a_wildlife_rehabilitation_centre_assessment_of_growth_rates_using_different_diets
  31. Randau M, Carbone C, Turvey ST , 2013. Canine Evolution in Sabretoothed Carnivores: Natural Selection or Sexual Selection? PLoS ONE 8(8): e72868.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072868
  32. Reinhart N.R, Ferguson S.H, Koski W.R, Higdon J.W, LeBlanc B., Tervo O., and Jepson P, 2013. Occurrence of killer whale Orcinus orca rake marks on Eastern Canada-West Greenland bowhead whales Balaena mysticetus. 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Dunedin, New Zealand. Dec 9 - 13, 2013.  
  33. Reinhart NR, Ferguson SH, Koski WR, Higdon JW, LeBlanc B, Tervo O, Jepson PD , 2013. Occurrence of killer whale Orcinus orca rake marks on Eastern Canada-West Greenland bowhead whales Balaena mysticetus. Polar Biology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-013-1335-3
  34. Takahashi E.1, Lembo T.2 , Viana M.2, Halliday J.2, Packer C.3, Dubovi E.4, Kock R.1, Lankester F.5, Mzimbiri I.5, Sainsbury AW.6, Cleaveland S.2. 2013 VACCINATION AS A WILDLIFE DISEASE MANAGEMENT TOOL – CANINE DISTEMPER IN WILD FELIDS Asian Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Page 56.  
  35. Boere J, Esteban Diaz D, Holt WV 2011.  Sperm motility activation, sperm heterogeneity, and sperm-female tract interactions in Bennett’s wallaby (Macrops rufogriseus rufogriseus).  Reproduction Fertility and Development 23: 603-617. DOI: 10.1071/RD10257
  36. Clark FE, Fitzpatrick M, Hartley A, King AJ, Lee T, Routh A, Walker SL, George K 2011.  Relationship between behaviour, adrenal activity and environment in zoo-housed western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).  Zoo Biology 30:1-16. DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20396
  37. Clark FE, Melfi VA 2011.  Environmental enrichment for a mixed species nocturnal mammal exhibit.  Zoo Biology 29: 1-17. Zoo Biology | Zoology Journal | Wiley Online Library
  38. Bouts, T., Harrison, N., Berry, K., Taylor, P., Routh, A. & Gasthuys, F. 2010. Comparison of three anaesthetic protocols in Bennett’s wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus),  Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 37, 207–214  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2009.00523.x
  39. Clauss M, Wilkins T, Hartley A, Hatt J-M 2009.  Diet composition, food intake, body condition and faecal consistency in captive tapirs in UK collections.  Zoo Biology 27: 1-13 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20225
  40. Garner T.W.J, Stephen I, Wombwell E, Fisher M.C 2009.  The Amphibian Trade: Bans or Best Practice?  EcoHealth 07 May 2009 DOI:10.1007/s10393-009-0233-1
  41. Pettorelli N, Hilborn A, Broekhuis F, Durant SM 2009.  Exploring habitat use by cheetahs using ecological niche factor analysis. Journal of Zoology 277: 141-148 DOI:10.1111/J.1469-7998.2008.00522.X
  42. Sitas N, Baillie JEM, Isaac NJB 2009.   What are we saying?  Developing a standardized approach for conservation action.  Animal Conservation 12: 231-237. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2009.00244.x
  43. St-Amour V, Wong WM, Garner TWJ, Lesbarreres D 2008.  Anthropogenic influence on prevalence of two amphibian pathogens.  Emerging Infectious Diseases 14: 1175-1176. Anthropogenic Influence on Prevalence of 2 Amphibian Pathogens - Volume 14, Number 7—July 2008 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC

 

Non peer-reviewed 

  1. Redden, J., Diez-Leon, M., Cook, J., Pastorino, G.Q. 2018. The effects of enclosure size, enclosure design and feeding regime on the activity levels of captive Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica). Proceedings of the BIAZA Annual Research Conference, Paignton Zoo, UK, July 2018.  The Effects of Enclosure Characteristics and Feeding... | Royal Veterinary College
  2. Viana M, Cleaveland S, Matthiopoulos J, Halliday J, Packer C, Craft ME, Hampson K, Czupryna A, Dobson AP, Dubovi EJ, Eblate E, Fyumagwa R, Hoare R, Hopcraft JGC, Horton DL, Kaare MT, Kanellos T, Lankester F, Mentzel C, Mlengeya T, Mzimbiri I, Takahashi E, Willett B, Haydon DT, Lembo T 2016.  Dynamics of a morbillivirus at the domestic-wildlife interface: canine distemper virus in domestic dogs and lions.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112: 1464-1469; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1411623112
  3. Andanje, S., Davey, K., Ogwoke, B., Bruce, T., Wacher, T., & Amin, R. 2015: Mammal Diversity Surveys in the Coastal Forests; Kenya, Zoological Society of London xx. pp. ' DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.28326.01608
  4. Stephenson, E., Silva-Fletcher, A., Waters, M. & Perera, V. 2015. Conserving Asian elephants post-mortem - an assessment of dentition, skull morphology and sutures. International Congress for Conservation Biology, Montpellier, France, 2nd-6th August, 2015.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281939347_Conserving_Asian_elephants_post-mortem_-_a_review_of_age_determinant_techniques_assessing_dentition_skulls_and_sutures
  5. Fuste, E., 2012. Success of hand-rearing common swift (Apus apus) using a diet based on mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) at a wildlife recovery centre: analysis of survival and fledgling weights compared to those on previous diets not composed of insects. 7th European Zoo Nutrition Conference, Zurich, 27-30th January 2012.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258112081_Hand-reared_common_swifts_Apus_apus_in_a_wildlife_rehabilitation_centre_assessment_of_growth_rates_using_different_diets
  6. Hickey, I., 2011. Is Training Enriching? The effect of positive reinforcement training on the psychological well-being of zoo-housed tigers (Panthera tigris). BIAZA Research Symposium, Bristol Zoo, 2011. Is training zoo animals enriching? - ScienceDirect
  7. Fuste, E., Olid, L., Obon, E., 2010. Hand-reared common swifts (Apus apus) in a wildlife rehabilitation centre: assessment of growth rates with different diets. Sixth European Zoo Nutrition Conference, Barcelona, 28-31, January 2010, p15. Hand-reared common swifts (Apus apus) in a wildlife rehabilitation centre: assessment of growth rates using different diets | Request PDF
  8. Fuste, E., 2010. Current Research on swift diets. The Common Swift Seminars, Berlin, 8-11 April 2010, pp6-8. Protocol CSW Seminars Berlin April 2010 no.1
  9. Bujak, E., Green, D. & Holt, W.V. 2009. Non-invasive reproductive hormone assessment using faeces from captive Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). Proceedings of the 27th Mustelid Colloquium, Lisbon, Portugal, 18-20 November 2009. https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/cot011 
  10. Wilkins, T., Clauss, M. 2008.  Nutrition of captive tapir (Tapirus indicus and Tapirus terrestris): a study on feed intake, faecal consistency, body condition and health problems.  Zoo Nutrition conference, Chester Zoo, January 2008. DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20225
  11. Clark, F., Melfi, V., Farmer, H., 2007.  All For One and One For All? Environmental Enrichment for a Mixed-Species Nocturnal Mammal Exhibit. In: Eighth International Conference on Environmental Enrichment, Schonbrunn Zoo, Vienna, Austria. DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20380
  12. Westbury, A., Doernath Aguirre Alvarez, K.A., Dierenfeld, E., 2007.  Nutritional Adequacy of Gorilla Diets in EEP Facilities (Abridged version) BIAZA Zoo Research News Vol 8 No 1.  https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21158
  13. Rose, P., Clauss, M., 2006.  A Comparison of Husbandry, Feed Intake and Cause of Death of Captive Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the United Kingdom.  BIAZA Research Symposium, Colchester Zoo, July 2006. DOI:10.5167/uzh-3556
  14. Rose, P., Hummel, J., Clauss, M., 2006.  Food and calculated energy intake in captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the UK.  Proceedings of the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians, Budapest, May 24-28, pp289-290. content
  15. Westbury, A., Doernath Aguirre Alvarez, K.A., Dierenfeld, E., 2006.  Nutritional Adequacy of Gorilla Diets in EEP Facilities, Proceedings of the International Gorilla Workshop, Paignton Zoo.  
  16. Cunningham, N., 2005. Visitor impact on captive felid behaviour at Edinburgh Zoo. Proceedings of the seventh Annual Symposium on Zoo Research, Twycross Zoo, pp159-164 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321310108_Cunningham_N_2005_Visitor_Impact_on_the_captive_felid_behaviour_at_Edinburgh_Zoo_in_Proceedings_of_the_seventh_annual_symposium_on_zoo_research_7-8_July_2005_Twycross_Zoo_UK_159-164

N.B. For each reference the student’s name is underlined

Academic Staff

Course Directors:

Dr María Díez-León  

Dr Chris Yesson 

Dr Andrės Valenzuela Sánchez

Dr Bernat Marti Garcia

Module Leaders:

Principles of Epidemiology and Surveillance: Dr Julian Drewe and Prof Javier Guitian

Ecosystem Health: Dr Andrės Valenzuela Sánchez and Prof Andrew Cunningham

Research Skills and Statistical Analysis: Dr David Brodbelt and Dr Ruby Chang

Conservation Science:  Dr Marcus Rowcliffe and Louise McRae

Wildlife Disease Investigation and Surveillance: Dr Becki Lawson and Dr Simon Spiro

Wildlife Animal Health and Conservation: Dr Malcolm Nicoll and Dr Javier Sánchez Romano

Health and Welfare of Captive Wild Animals: Sheryl Bradley

Practical Studies: Dr Taina Strike, Dr Simon Spiro, Dan Simmonds, Hayley Jakeman

Research Project:  Dr Chris Yesson and Dr María Díez-León  

Meet a Module Leader

Contact Information

The Graduate School
The Royal Veterinary College
Royal College Street
London NW1 0TU
United Kingdom

Email: admissions@rvc.ac.uk 

Tel: +44 (0) 207 468 5147

Career Profiles

Graduates of the MSc in Wild Animal Biology have gone on to pursue successful careers in wildlife management (with government agencies in both developing and developed countries), wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife-related research (at universities and zoological collections) and zoo management.

Positions obtained by our graduates include:

  • A range of paid internships including Camera Trapping & Ecosystem Assessment
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Pathology Technician
  • Trainee Reserve Warden
  • Zoo Keeper
  • PhD researcher
  • Graduate Ecologist

Employers of our graduates include:

  • ALcontrol Laboratories
  • Zoological Society of London
  • RSPCA
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
  • Save the Rhino
  • The Ecology Consultancy
  • Sea Watch Foundation
  • The International Society for Ecology & Culture
  • United Nations (UN)
  • Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Sasha Dines 

Sasha Dines graduated from the Wild Animal Biology (WAB) course in 2016 and now works as the head field specialist at Oceans Research, South Africa.

Her recent work includes working under Dr. Enrico Gennari on White Shark population dynamic studies and cetacean studies amongst many other projects.

Her main duties in this role included managing the student research internship, organising their schedule, teaching and supervising all of the research projects, maintaining equipment and databases and ultimately ensuring the interns are receiving an excellent learning experience.

In addition to her main scheduling responsibilities she has continued her interests in marine mammal biology by helping to run the marine mammal stranding course at Oceans and is currently helping to develop a national stranding response network. 

Femke Broekhuis

Femke Broekhuis graduated from the Wild Animal Biology (WAB) course in 2007, which launched her career in cheetah research.

Supervised by Dr. Sarah Durant, Femke conducted a dissertation on cheetah habitat selection after which she was awarded the Tom Kaplan Prize scholarship do a PhD with the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford.

She then conducted 4/5 years of research on cheetahs in the Okavango Delta assessing cheetah interactions with lions and hyaenas.

Femke is currently Project Director of the Mara Cheetah Project in Kenya where she aims to determine the current cheetah population in the Greater Mara Ecosystem, identify major threats and mitigate against them by implementing a science and community-based conservation approach.

Lauren Smith

Lauren Smith, a graduate from the 2015/2016 WAB cohort, is a Postdoctoral Research Officer in infectious disease modelling at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia. 

She currently works on projects relating to the control of infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific region, including the development of diagnostic tools to identify individuals recently infected with Plasmodium vivax. 

Since graduating from the Wild Animal Biology MSc, her PhD and postdoctoral research has addressed questions related to the management of animal populations and infectious diseases, and the welfare of domestic animals. This has included using statistical and mathematical models to assess the effectiveness of free-roaming dog population management, rabies control strategies, canine distemper virus dynamics, African swine fever in domestic pigs, and cetacean ecology and conservation.

Xinli Yap

Xinli Yap, who graduated from the course in 2010, worked as Conservation and Research Officer in Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Her main duties included: liaising with governmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals on local and regional conservation projects; organizing seminars, talks and conservation events; preparing materials and conducting public outreach programmes; and conducting in-house scientific research. She has now moved on to work in spearheading the wildlife hazard management programme at Changi Airport.

Lydia Tiller

Upon graduating from the 2008/2009 class, Lydia worked on carrying out research on elephant cognition in Thailand. She worked for a scientist called Dr Joshua Plotnik who is a Newton post-doctoral research fellow from the University of Cambridge. Additionally, she acted as a field team leader for the Earthwatch programme that is run at the field site. Now, she works for Save the Elephants and is the Research and Science Manager for their Human-Elephant Co-Existence Program. Save the Elephants are working to preserve vital migration corridors, maintain elephant-friendly landscapes and promote tolerant relationships between elephant and man.

Nicola White 

Nicola graduated from the MSc WAB in 2004 and built her career in wildlife protection through the RSPCA, progressing to Senior Scientific Officer: Exotics & Wildlife Trade. In that role, she led science-based projects addressing the welfare of wild animals kept and traded as pets, and the wider impacts of the global wildlife trade.

She later joined Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International) as Senior Manager, Wildlife Campaigns, leading national advocacy work including efforts to secure a UK ban on trophy hunting imports. In 2025, Nicola moved into a role within the organisation’s global wildlife team as Principal, Program Content (Wild Animals), where she uses the latest welfare science and data to shape international initiatives focused on animals affected by the wild pet trade. 

Katharine Bowgen

Since graduating from the Wild Animal Biology course in 2007, Katharine has worked across Europe and occasionally further afield as an behavioural ecologist in ornithology. 

After spending 5 years as a research and field assistant for different research projects (working with House Sparrows, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits, Cypriot passerines, Siberian jays, Guillemots, Roseate Terns, Spotted Antbirds and a brief side trip with Cheetahs), she undertook an ecological modelling PhD with Professor Richard Stillman looking at the impacts of environmental change on UK waders. 

Combining the skills she gained from the MSc, her fieldwork positions and ecological modelling doctorate, Katharine gained a position with the British Trust for Ornithology in their wetland and marine and Cymru teams. She is now a Senior Research Ecologist working on wide ranging projects with UK waders and waterbirds to understand their population changes and habitat choices throughout the year. Her skills now include GPS tagging and she can be regularly found deploying tags on coastal waders ready to analyse their movements!

Course Reviews

"For anyone wishing to pursue a career in wildlife conservation, this course is a fantastic opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and contacts to help you reach your goal. As a recent 2018 graduate of the MSc in Wild Animal Biology, I can wholeheartedly say I immensely enjoyed the course and all the wonderful experiences it provided. You are given the opportunity to work with some world-renowned experts in conservation, gain hands on experience in the practical management of captive animals and gain skills in conducting post-mortem investigations. What this course provides is over and above most master’s courses. On a personal development level, you gain essential critical evaluation skills that are imperative for any progression into higher research or education and the opportunity to make contacts with those working at Zoological Society of London, a leading charity in wildlife conservation." - Hannah Davidson, United Kingdom

"The MSc in Wild Animal Biology is a unique opportunity to benefit not only from the knowledge and experiences of experts from around the world, but also from the exchange of ideas between the zoologists and veterinarians that come to the course from a variety of backgrounds. I learned far more than I expected to in the space of just one year." - Avanti Wadugodapitiya, Sri Lanka

"I completed the MSc Wild Animal Biology course in the years 2014-2015, and all I can say is I really enjoyed it. Although I liked my undergraduate university course, there was a definite lack in the practical side in terms of seeing real-life animal cases and witnessing firsthand how captive animals are managed. The collaboration between the Royal Veterinary College and the Zoological Society of London meant I was able to see the best of both worlds - see how veterinary medicine is progressing alongside the improvement in keeping wild animal collections in captivity. The link also meant we were able to witness some fascinating post mortems- a personal highlight was when I was present during the post mortem of a giant porcupine. Through my course I was able to gain many connections, and it also opened my eyes to the amount of work and research taking place in the wildlife epidemiology field. I would recommend this course to anyone who is passionate about conservation and research, and interested in all the different types of work going on worldwide." - Inez Januszczak, United Kingdom

"After several years of searching for the right graduate program, I was inspired to pursue the MSc Wild Animal Biology course. I had been working as a big cat keeper at Busch Gardens in hometown of Tampa, Florida for six years. While it was a difficult decision to leave a career I loved, I went on the journey to study abroad to gain a greater understanding of conservation and wild animal management on a global level. This unique course encompassed all aspects of conservation -- in situ and ex situ wild animal management, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, and research. The lecturers were amazing, truly leaders in conservation. The research component of the degree was exhilarating as we could design any project based on our interests. I chose to study polar bear behaviour, where I spent time at zoos in five different European countries, gaining insight into their ex situ management. The very best part of the course was collaborating and developing close friendships with people from all around the world." - Ashleigh Lutz, USA

"It was really fantastic for me. I got theoretical as well as practical knowledge from this course which proved invaluable in my career when working on the rehabilitation of native wildlife. My MSc dissertation provided me the opportunity to study a particular species, the Common Swift, which has since been my main focus of interest and further, future research." - Enric Fuste, Spain

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