13 Weird and Wonderful Wildlife Photos from a Day in the Life of a Conservation Biologist

Working as a state or federal wildlife biologist is far from glamorous, and it’s often thankless. It also might be one of the most fascinating jobs in the country. These scientists spend years in school only to work long hours on modest government salaries. They address complaints from the public, juggle shifting conservation priorities, and still find time to do field work. The payoff? Rare and sometimes bizarre encounters with the animals they’re tasked with conserving. Without these hands-on efforts, many of America’s wildlife populations would be far less abundant than they are today. What follows is a glimpse into the weird, wonderful, and (sometimes) hazardous fieldwork that keeps our wildlife thriving.