Classroom example Wilder Institute
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Ask the classFor you
About Wilder InstituteFor you
SourcesCan helping individual owls help a population recover?
Wilder Institute · Connected to the Calgary Zoo. Field program in southeastern Alberta.
Where it fits
Pick your class- Biology 20 · Ecosystems and population change
- Biology 30 · Population and community dynamics
How it works
Schematic · not to scale
From care to evidence
Vulnerable young owls face a difficult early life stage.
Care through winter supports food, welfare and health.
Pairs return to prairie habitat in spring.
Monitor survival, breeding and offspring after release.
The return arrow shows evidence informing the next intervention. A release is a step; recovery is the question.
The lesson, in the real world
Supporting a vulnerable life stage is an intervention. Measuring recovery requires following what happens next.
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Wilder temporarily brings vulnerable young burrowing owls into care through their first winter.
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Animal-care teams provide daily care while veterinarians monitor health and body condition.
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Adults are released in breeding pairs in southeastern Alberta, with supplementary food and monitoring.
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To evaluate recovery, ask about survival and reproduction after release, over time and against a useful comparison. Counting released owls answers only part of that question.
Our explanation
Who does this work
Roles documented at Wilder Institute
What each kind of work involves, the job titles to look for, and where to find postings in Calgary.
Conservation research and population ecology
Find out whether an intervention helps a wild population recover.
Classroom connection
Survival and reproduction at different life stages affect population change. A successful release alone does not establish population recovery.Job titles to search
Conservation biologist · Ecologist · Research biologistObserved in a 2025 researcher interviewAnimal care and welfare
Support animals day to day and notice changes that matter.
Classroom connection
Individual health and behaviour influence survival. Daily observations provide evidence, while population outcomes require follow-up beyond care.Job titles to search
Animal care technician · ZookeeperObserved in a 2023 care account and a 2026 postingVeterinary care for wildlife
Assess animal health and support safe care and release.
Classroom connection
The health of an individual and the recovery of a population are related questions, but they require different evidence.Job titles to search
Veterinarian · Registered veterinary technologistObserved in a 2023 care-team account
Cards distinguish work documented at Wilder Institute from related work at other employers. Dated accounts and postings are not a current staff roster or a promise of a vacancy.
Ways in
For your students
Ways to prepare for this work
Programs that teach skills this work uses. Each is one route in, not a requirement, and no program has endorsed this page.
University of CalgaryUniversity degreeCalgary
Zoology (BSc)
Study animal structure, function and diversity, with a broad foundation in animal biology.
About this route
An undergraduate route. The Wilder job example also asks for animal-care experience; a degree alone does not meet every requirement.
Why it connects to the work · our interpretation
Conservation research and population ecologyUnderstanding animal biology supports questions about survival and reproduction; this is a foundation for research, not a guarantee of a research-lead position.
Animal care and welfareAnimal biology helps explain differences in behaviour, body condition and species needs.
Olds College of Agriculture & TechnologyTwo-year diplomaOlds, Alberta
Environmental Science and Technology
Field and laboratory learning in soils, vegetation, water and wildlife, using tools such as GIS, GPS and environmental sampling.
About this route
Includes work-integrated learning. Check the official page for current admission requirements.
Why it connects to the work · our interpretation
Conservation research and population ecologyField observation, mapping and monitoring are useful in conservation projects. This route prepares for technical work; it is not equivalent to qualification as a lead population ecologist.
Olds College of Agriculture & TechnologyFour-month certificateOlds, Alberta
Veterinary Technical Assistant
Hands-on animal handling, patient preparation and veterinary equipment for entry-level support work.
About this route
An entry-level support route, not a veterinarian qualification or a substitute for the experience in Wilder’s posting.
Why it connects to the work · our interpretation
Animal care and welfareProvides an introduction to animal-care practice and assisting veterinary teams; wildlife-specific experience still needs to be developed.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology18-month accelerated diplomaOlds, Alberta
Veterinary Technology
Animal care, anatomy, diagnostic procedures and clinical skills, including an industry practicum.
About this route
This diploma does not provide direct entry to a DVM. Professional registration has additional examination requirements; consult the provider.
Why it connects to the work · our interpretation
Animal care and welfareClinical observation and care skills can support work alongside veterinarians. The program trains veterinary technologists, a distinct role from veterinarians.
University of CalgaryFour-year professional degreeCalgary
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
General veterinary medicine, with opportunities in ecosystem and public health that include wildlife, conservation and zoo medicine.
About this route
Not direct entry from high school. At least four full-time undergraduate terms and specified prerequisite courses are required; admission is competitive. See the linked admissions requirements.
Official program page(opens in a new tab)
Source: UCalgary: DVM admission requirements(opens in a new tab)Why it connects to the work · our interpretation
Veterinary care for wildlifeIts ecosystem and public-health emphasis connects animal medicine with wildlife and conservation questions.
Ask the class
Use it in class
Ask the class
What would you measure over several years to decide whether this intervention is helping? What comparison would make your conclusion more convincing?
Saving animals and restoring a population are connected but different goals. Scientists need evidence about what happens after release, not just a count of animals cared for.
Mindset it shows
Evaluate outcomes beyond the most visible success metric.
About Wilder Institute
Conservation research and animal care, working together for wildlife.
- Headquarters
- Calgary, Alberta. Its head office is listed at 1300 Zoo Road NE.
- Source: Wilder Institute: offices(opens in a new tab)
- Local connection
- The Calgary Zoo is part of the organization. Owls spend winter at the Archibald Biodiversity Centre; releases take place in southeastern Alberta. The animal-care job example is near Strathmore.
- Source: Wilder Institute: About Wilder(opens in a new tab); Wilder Institute: burrowing owl program(opens in a new tab); Wilder Institute: Animal Care Technician (On-Call in Strathmore, AB)(opens in a new tab)
- Team size
- Not verified. We have not found a dated, sourced figure.
- The problem
- At-risk species need support that addresses survival, habitat and the challenges of returning animals to the wild. The burrowing owl program focuses on vulnerable young birds.
- Source: Wilder Institute: burrowing owl program(opens in a new tab)
- What they do
- Conservation breeding, animal care, field research and partnerships to support species recovery.
- Source: Wilder Institute: About Wilder(opens in a new tab); Wilder Institute: burrowing owl program(opens in a new tab)
- Who benefits
- At-risk wildlife and the people and communities working to conserve it. In the owl program, landowners help provide release sites on prairie grasslands.
- Source: Wilder Institute: About Wilder(opens in a new tab); Wilder Institute: burrowing owl program(opens in a new tab)
Wilder describes itself as a global conservation charity bringing together conservation, animal care and public engagement. Its work includes the Calgary Zoo and species recovery programs.
Source: Wilder Institute: About Wilder(opens in a new tab)Read each source’s date and scope: a documented role is not proof of a current vacancy or of where every position is based.
Reported as Wilder Institute states it. Wilder Institute has not reviewed or endorsed this page.
Sources and course fit
Sources checked 24–29 Sep 2026
Where it fits
- Biology 20 · Ecosystems and population change
- Biology 30 · Population and community dynamics
Editorial mapping to published CBE course topics. Pending educator review. No outcome-code alignment is claimed.
Sources
- Olds College Veterinary Technical Assistant(opens in a new tab)
- Wilder Institute(opens in a new tab)
- Burrowing owl program(opens in a new tab)
- Researcher interview, Jul 2025(opens in a new tab)
- Care team account, 2023(opens in a new tab)
- CBE Biology 20–30 topics(opens in a new tab)
- UCalgary science program guides(opens in a new tab)
Organization claims are reported as the organization states them. Wilder Institute has not reviewed or endorsed this page.
What we know, and how
| Type | Claim | How we know |
|---|---|---|
| work | Cares for young owls through their first winter, then releases and monitors adult pairs.Source: Burrowing owl program | Organization-stated |
| roles | Population ecologist leads the program. Animal care technicians and vets support it.Source: Researcher interview, Jul 2025; Care team account, 2023 | Observed · 2025 and 2023 |
| pathways | Ecology, zoology, environmental science.Source: UCalgary science program guides | Inferred direction |
| course fit | Biology 20 and Biology 30 population units.Source: CBE Biology 20–30 topics | Editorial · pending review |
Solid green: the organization states it. Outlined: seen in a dated source. Dashed: our interpretation, not yet researched, or announced but not yet real.