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The University of Sydney has announced its expanded wildlife care facility in Camden in south-western Sydney has been renamed as the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital.

The Director of the Wildlife Hospital, Associate Professor聽Annabelle Olsson, said: 鈥淭he recent $4.5 million grant from the NSW Government helps us to maintain a singular聽focus on Australian native wildlife, including koalas, which deserve the best available care backed by our research.鈥澛�

The expansion of the facility will cater for the creation聽of outdoor enclosures for koalas and will support additional staffing at the hospital.

The facility has been operating since 2007 and聽previously聽treated聽exotic species and other pets to support the wildlife research and care undertaken at the hospital.聽New funding will allow the hospital to expand and focus on its core purpose 鈥� wildlife conservation.

鈥淥ur聽staff聽will work closely with聽wildlife carers and rescue organisations聽to return animals back to their natural habitat after they recover,鈥� Associate Professor Olsson said.

Dean and Head of School of the聽Sydney聽School of聽Veterinary聽Science,聽Professor Jacqui Norris, said: "The new hospital name and wildlife-only approach is critical聽in signalling to veterinarians聽in training and the聽community, that聽veterinary treatment of our native wildlife and protection of their habitat are of utmost importance."

This year, the wildlife hospital has treated more than 600 animals, primarily mammals, followed by native birds and reptiles. The number of patients continues to rise steadily as the hospital works with the public, wildlife rescue groups, and carers.

Associate Professor Olsson said: 鈥淲hile the hospital treats all native wildlife, most cases have involved injured and sick koalas and wombats, with possums and flying foxes also often seen.

鈥淣early 100 different species of native birds have been seen, including emus, waterbirds, waders, seagulls, parrots, cockatoos, and finches. The reptiles treated range from turtles and blue-tongue lizards to bearded dragons, diamond pythons, and venomous snakes such as browns and blacks.鈥�

With summer storms approaching, the hospital anticipates an influx of up to 10 long-neck turtles a week, typically hit by cars while migrating between winter ponds and breeding grounds.

ABOUT the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital

罢丑别听Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital聽(WHCH) is a dedicated wildlife and teaching hospital.聽We provide expert veterinary care and rehabilitation to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, aiming to release them back into their natural habitats. Our goals are to alleviate suffering, promote improved standards of care, enhance our understanding of wildlife health threats, and collaborate closely with our community to address these issues.

The hospital is supported by a dedicated team of three wildlife-trained veterinary nurses, three veterinarians, led by Hospital Director,聽Associate Professor Annabelle Olsson.

Associate Professor Olsson holds advanced qualifications in wildlife and avian medicine (MANZCVS), two higher research degrees focused on the health and welfare of both wild and captive wildlife, a Cert IV in zookeeping, and brings decades of clinical expertise in wildlife medicine and husbandry.

The hospital is also staffed by聽Associate Professor Michelle Campbell-Ward, a wildlife, zoo and exotic species veterinarian, researcher and leader with interests in animal welfare, ethics and zoological medicine. Her novel work on the outcomes of wildlife rescue efforts in bushfires and other disasters have contributed to improving rehabilitation practices and guidelines.

Opening hours and contact

Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Closed on weekends.
奥别产蝉颈迟别:听/wildlife-hospital
Contact: (02) 4655 0798 |聽wildlife-hospital@sydney.edu.au
Address: 415 Werombi Road, Brownlow Hill NSW 2570