Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital

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Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital Learn more at us: https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/schools/sydney-school-of-veterinary-science.html.

The Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital (WHCH) is a dedicated wildlife and teaching hospital, serving the communities of south-western and southern Sydney, the Wollondilly, the Southern Highlands and beyond. Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital is part of Sydney University’s University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden which is also home to Uni Vets Camden, the Camden Equine Centre and Livestock Services.

We’re hiring a Veterinary Nurse Unit Manager at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden.This full-time role i...
10/07/2025

We’re hiring a Veterinary Nurse Unit Manager at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden.

This full-time role is ideal for an experienced nurse with proven leadership experience, ready to take the next step in a dynamic academic environment focused on clinical care, teaching and research.

You’ll stay hands-on with patient care while leading a team across equine, livestock, small animal and wildlife services. This role blends clinical expertise, team management and student teaching in a multi-species veterinary teaching hospital.

If you care deeply for animals and people and want to grow your skills while helping shape the next generation of vets, this is your opportunity.

Apply now: https://usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/details/Veterinary-Nurse-Unit-Manager_0136061-3?q=nurse+unit+manager

At our Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital, we’re proud to train the next generation of veterinarians in caring fo...
07/07/2025

At our Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital, we’re proud to train the next generation of veterinarians in caring for Australia’s native wildlife, including our much-misunderstood bats.

Bats are vital to our environment. They pollinate native plants, spread seeds, and keep insect numbers down. But they can also carry Australian bat lyssavirus, a rare virus related to rabies that can be passed to humans through bites or scratches.

When bats arrive at our teaching hospital in Camden, our veterinarians and veterinary nurses who have appropriate vaccinations, training and experience in handling bats step in to provide care.

Our final-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students observe from a safe distance. Throughout their course, they learn how to support this work using evidence-based techniques, correct use of PPE, and develop a strong understanding of public health, exploring the vital connections between animal, human and environmental health.

We also work very closely with experienced wildlife carers and rescue groups, such as WIRES, Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services), and others. These authorised responders are specially trained and vaccinated to handle sick, injured or orphaned bats. Their work ensures bats get the expert care they need, while reducing risk to carers, vets, and the community.

🔗 For more information about Australian bat lyssavirus, refer to this NSW Health factsheet: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/factsheets/pages/rabies-australian-bat-lyssavirus-infection.aspx

This pelican was rescued by WIRES with support from local NSW SES volunteers, then treated at our Wildlife Health and Co...
26/06/2025

This pelican was rescued by WIRES with support from local NSW SES volunteers, then treated at our Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital for botulism — a serious illness caused by toxins that can lead to weakness and paralysis in birds.

Thanks to expert care, the pelican made a full recovery and was released back into the wild, healthy and strong.

It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when we work together. By combining local knowledge, emergency response and specialist veterinary care, we can give native wildlife the best chance to survive and thrive.

📖 Read the full story: https://www.wires.org.au/wires-news/collaboration-ensures-successful-release-for-lucky-pelican

UPDATE: Pelican Suffering from Botulism Treated and Released!A few weeks ago, WIRES volunteer Inga, with help from local...
26/06/2025

UPDATE: Pelican Suffering from Botulism Treated and Released!

A few weeks ago, WIRES volunteer Inga, with help from local SES volunteers, rescued a pelican from Harrington Park Lake in South West Sydney.

The poor pelican was suffering from botulism and required specialist treatment to have a chance at recovery.

It was rushed to the University of Sydney’s Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital Camden, where it received expert, round-the-clock care.

On arrival, the team administered pain relief, placed an intravenous catheter for fluids, and set it up with supportive warming and bedding. Bloodwork confirmed botulism, and treatment included fluid therapy, nutritional support via tube feeding, and close monitoring by final-year vet students.

Each day brought signs of recovery: lifting its head, standing, paddling, and finally eating independently. After 14 days, the pelican was strong, mobile, and ready for release.

Inga returned to release it back to its natural habitat — a true rescue success made possible by collaboration.

Huge thanks to everyone involved for their skill, care, and dedication!

For a detailed account of the pelican's rescue and treatment, follow the link below⤵️
https://www.wires.org.au/wires-news/collaboration-ensures-successful-release-for-lucky-pelican

We recently welcomed Keren Cox-Witten and Clare Death from Wildlife Health Australia to our Wildlife Health and Conserva...
18/06/2025

We recently welcomed Keren Cox-Witten and Clare Death from Wildlife Health Australia to our Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital.

Their visit highlights our ongoing collaboration as part of WHA’s Sentinel Clinics programme, which plays a vital role in monitoring and reporting wildlife disease surveillance, emerging diseases, mass mortality events, and cases of special interest.

This work aligns closely with the One Health approach, a global movement that recognises the deep interconnection between the health of people, animals, and the environment. By bringing together expertise across veterinary, medical, and environmental fields, One Health aims to better detect, prevent, and respond to diseases that can affect multiple species and ecosystems.

At the University of Sydney, we are proud to embrace One Health through our research, clinical practice, and education. Collaborative initiatives like the Sentinel Clinics programme reflect our commitment to advancing integrated, cross-disciplinary solutions to global health challenges.

🌏🐢 Happy World Turtle Day! 🐢🌏Today, we’re celebrating Australia’s incredible native turtles, and the dedicated team at o...
23/05/2025

🌏🐢 Happy World Turtle Day! 🐢🌏

Today, we’re celebrating Australia’s incredible native turtles, and the dedicated team at our Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital, who care for sick and injured wild turtles across southwest Sydney.

Some of the most common cases we treat in freshwater turtles include:

💥 Shell fractures – typically from car strikes, treated with pain relief, fluids, and usually requires surgery

🩻 Internal injuries – x-rays guide treatment, especially for nesting females with retained eggs or internal trauma

🐣 Vulnerable hatchlings – young turtles are fragile and receive warmth, fluids, and close monitoring

🎣 Fish hook ingestion – turtles often mistake bait for food; they receive pain relief, anaesthesia, radiographs, and surgical removal of the hook, followed by post-operative care

Did you know? Our hospital is not only a vital treatment facility for native wildlife, but also a dedicated Wildlife Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

As part of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at The University of Sydney, our fourth-year students complete a clinical rotation at our hospital, gaining hands-on experience in examination, imaging, and treatment, developing the skills to care for native wildlife with both expertise and ethical responsibility.

We also work closely with dedicated wildlife carers, who play a crucial role in the long-term rehabilitation of injured turtles, helping them recover and return safely to the wild.

Thank you to everyone who plays a role in protecting our precious turtles. 💚

Recently, we welcomed four final-year veterinary students from Mahidol University in Thailand to our Wildlife Health and...
21/05/2025

Recently, we welcomed four final-year veterinary students from Mahidol University in Thailand to our Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital. The visit was part of a collaboration between the Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE) at Mahidol University and 's International One Health Program.

It offered an opportunity to strengthen ties between future veterinary professionals in Australia and Thailand, supporting the development of a sustainable wildlife health workforce across the Asia-Pacific region.

The students gained insight into Australian veterinary education and practice, with learning focused on epidemiology, biosecurity, One Health, and wildlife rehabilitation. During their visit, they also attended classes at our Camden and Camperdown campuses.

We wish them every success as they continue their studies and careers in veterinary science.

Pictured: Associate Professor Michelle Campbell-Ward with the four visiting Thai veterinary students and Dr Steve Unwin from Wildlife Health Australia.

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Happy World Veterinary Day! 🐾🌍At the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital, we’re proud of our skilled and compassio...
25/04/2025

Happy World Veterinary Day! 🐾🌍

At the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital, we’re proud of our skilled and compassionate vets who care for our native wildlife every day and help train the next generation of veterinary professionals.

On this special day, Head of School and Dean, Professor Jacqui Norris, shares her gratitude:

“Thank you to the amazing veterinarians in our Sydney School of Veterinary Science. I am so proud of their work in preventing and saving animal lives, advocating for animal welfare and teaching the next generation of veterinarians. I am very proud of our wonderful profession and send a shout out today to all veterinarians globally, thanking them for the work they do to protect animal health and welfare."

Animal health takes a team, and we’re proud to be part of it.

From Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April, our team will be operating on a reduced schedule. We're open to care for in-hou...
16/04/2025

From Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April, our team will be operating on a reduced schedule. We're open to care for in-house wildlife patients only during this time.

🚫 We're not open to the public during these dates, so please do not bring wildlife to the hospital.

If you find an injured native animal or need urgent care over Easter, contact a licensed wildlife rescue group, such as:

🦘 WIRES: 1300 094 737
🐨 Sydney Wildlife: 02 9413 4300

We’ll reopen with full services from 8:30am on Tuesday 22 April.

Thank you for helping us protect native wildlife. ❤️

14/04/2025

We were featured on ABC News this week, in a story highlighting how Sydney’s suburban expansion is threatening koalas in South-West Sydney. 🐨

As development pushes deeper into native habitat, we’re treating more koalas suffering the consequences: road trauma, dog attacks, fence injuries, and stress-related illness from lack of food, shelter, and safe space to move.

Our clinical team at the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital shared what we’re seeing firsthand, and why it’s more important than ever to understand the risks koalas face.

Wildlife hospitals around Australia are doing all they can, but treatment alone isn’t enough. While our care is vital for individual animals, preventing further harm through changes in housing development and ecology is crucial to saving these species.

Without urgent action to protect native vegetation and restore movement corridors, we’ll keep seeing the same injuries and illnesses occurring.

🎥 Watch the full story: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-13/the-sydney-surburban-sprawl-that%E2%80%99s-a-death-zone/105169238

At the today? Come and visit our tent near the President's Common. Get yourself a copy of our freshly printed service ...
05/04/2025

At the today? Come and visit our tent near the President's Common. Get yourself a copy of our freshly printed service brochures to learn more about the work we do at the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital.

We’re proud to share our strong performance in the 2025 QS Top Universities World University Rankings by Subject! 🎉🐾 #1...
13/03/2025

We’re proud to share our strong performance in the 2025 QS Top Universities World University Rankings by Subject! 🎉

🐾 #1 in Australia for Veterinary Science
🌏 21st globally (Veterinary Science)

The rankings also put The University of Sydney first in Australia in nine disciplines and overall, 20 subjects improved their global ranking. 🏆

These rankings assess universities across 55 subject areas, considering academic and employer reputation, research excellence, and citations. 📚

Check out the full results here: tinyurl.com/topunirankings25

Faculty of Science, University of Sydney

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Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30
Thursday 08:30 - 16:30
Friday 08:30 - 16:30

Telephone

02 4655 0798

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