NE -- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission continues its series of Conservation Career Chats. This week, a zoologist joined virtually to discuss how he keeps track of animal species and declining populations across the state.

 Zoologist Shaun Dunn is keeping an eye on non-game species of mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians in Nebraska. 

"What do I do day to day? Usually, a lot of emails," he said. But when he's not in the office, Dunn is spotting species, collecting data, and investigating outbreaks.

Sometimes he gets called out to investigate why species are dying out, or -- right now -- he's surveying spotted skunks (where they live and how many exist in Nebraska).

Animals big and small are on his radar, but he's most passionate about the endangered tiger beetle. 

"People say it's a lot of money for a bug, but the beetle is a small piece of a project: saving the saline wetlands," he said. 

If you're interested in his job, Dunn recommends you reach out to anyone in his field and ask how you can help, even if it's just volunteer experience at first. 

Next week's session will cover invasive wildlife and why doves are a problem.