• Threatened Species

• Global Conservation

• Australian Conservation

  • Southern Corroboree Frog
  • Little Penguin
  • Malleefowl
  • Regent Honeyeater
  • Long-nosed Bandicoot
  • Brush-tailed Rock-Wallaby
  • Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat

• Research

• Wildlife Hospitals

• AMMRC

  • Marine Mammal Fast Facts

• The Australian Registry of Wildlife Health

• Australian Shark Attack File

  • General Information
  • Shark Research

• Field Grants Program

• Zoos, Conservation and Education

At Taronga and Western Plains Zoos 

The Wildlife Hospitals at Taronga and Western Plains Zoos care for around 1,500 native animals each year. These animals are brought to the Hospitals by members of the community after being found sick, injured or orphaned.

The main aim of the Wildlife Hospitals at Taronga and Western Plains Zoos is to rehabilitate as many native animals as possible back to the wild.

The variety of animals that are treated is enormous, ranging from stranded seals and orphaned baby bats, to pelicans tangled in fishing line.

All these animals need professional care and attention during the treatment and  rehabilitation process to ensure they can be returned to their natural environment.

The Hospitals at both Taronga and Western Plains Zoos provide a high standard of veterinary expertise in the care of native animals and have well-equipped, modern veterinary facilities.

When an animal is brought to the Hospital, the encounter details are recorded on a Hospital Record Sheet. The animal is then examined by a zoo veterinarian and its condition and prognosis assessed. The treatment details and the animal's progress are recorded on its Hospital Record Sheet throughout the rehabilitation process. Whenever possible the rescuer is involved in the eventual release of the animal.

Prior to release, most animals are given a permanent and unique identifier, such as ear tags for possums and leg bands for birds and bats. If the animal is recaptured at a later date, details about its survival, movements and post-release behaviour can be recorded.

Some animals arrive as orphans and require hand-rearing by Zoo staff, or may have an injury which makes them unsuitable for release. These animals may eventually be kept for breeding or education purposes in the Taronga or Western Plains Zoo animal collections.

For more information about wildlife or what to do if you find a sick, injured or orphaned animal call (during business hours):

• Taronga Zoo hotline: (02) 9969 2777
• Western Plains Zoo hotline: (02) 6882 5888

Or please call the

• Taronga Wildlife Care directory: 1900 920 218

Wildlife Road Safety Tips

How Can Motorists Help Wildlife?

• Drive carefully at dawn and dusk when many animals are active.
• Check the pouches of dead animals for joeys which sometime remain uninjured.
• Don't throw food from cars as this attracts animals onto the road.
• Remove dead animals from the road as they attract meat-eating animals which then may be hit by a car.

First Aid For Injured Animals

• Place unconscious animals on their side.
• Keep the animal warm and quiet. Small orphans (pouch young) can be wrapped up and placed inside clothing to provide warmth.
• Stop bleeding with a pressure bandage.
• Don't try to force the animal to eat or drink.
• Keep the animal away from young children, domestic pets and loud noises.
• Don't handle more than necessary. Don't pet the animal.

Transport

• Transport to the Wildlife Clinic, a veterinarian or wildlife carer as quickly as possible. (See above for contact numbers).
• Place the animal on its side on the floor of the vehicle (if immobile) or in a cardboard box (with lots of ventilation holes and towels on the bottom), wrap it in a towel or place in a pillow case.
• Minimise noise (turn the radio off).