The Taronga Wildlife Hospital (TWH) is responsible for the health of Taronga Zoo's animal collection. There is a strong emphasis on preventative medicine and animal welfare. The Zoo’s veterinary team has a wealth of experience in all aspects of zoo, wildlife and conservation medicine, including reproductive management, nutrition, physical and chemical restraint and clinical medicine and pathology. An advanced level of veterinary care is maintained by continuous critical evaluation against current best practice in zoo and wild animal medicine and pathology.
TWH also accepts sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife for treatment, rehabilitation and release back to the wild where possible. A wide range of native wildlife including marine wildlife is admitted from the greater Sydney region and beyond. Advice and veterinary services are provided to wildlife conservation and recovery programs, internal and external Taronga approved research projects, marine animal stranding/rescue events, and animal confiscations. The TWH also provides consultancies to other zoos, fauna parks and aquaria, and quarantines animals coming into the collection from within Australia and overseas.
Externships are for a period of 4 weeks (18 days). Only final year veterinary students are accepted since basic skills in clinical medicine, surgery and necropsy techniques are a prerequisite. A basic knowledge of animal biology and the principles of zoo and wildlife medicine are assumed. Students will be supervised by the clinical veterinarians and may spend time with any of the TWH staff in order to gain the maximum exposure to all aspects of zoo and wildlife medicine.
A Student Information and Skills Book will be provided on commencement of the externship, which includes a Skills list that sets out the general learning objectives of the externship program. Completion of the skills list will require some background reading and research by the student as well as the undertaking of practical skills under the guidance of zoo staff. Students actively participate in clinical procedures and are given opportunities to perform skills such as venipuncture, injection, radiology and basic surgery. Where possible, wildlife cases are allocated to students. Students also participate in necropsies and pathology rounds, clinical pathology and nutrition. Additional learning opportunities may arise depending on cases and students are encouraged to gain as much experience as possible through observation, self driven research and discussion with staff.
Wherever possible, students will be given the opportunity to fulfil all requirements stipulated by their University. If there are no specific requirements, students will:
· Complete a communications task (eg. give a presentation to staff, produce an information brochure, or write a short article for publication in a newsletter).
· AND undertake a brief investigation of a topic of significance to zoo and wildlife
medicine (a list can be provided prior to commencing an externship).
· OR write up at least two case reports
The TWH is a purpose built, modern, (including well equipped endoscopy, laparoscopy, digital radiography and ultrasonography) veterinary hospital and quarantine facility servicing Taronga Zoo. Situated on the perimeter of the zoo grounds, it encompasses a range of hospital housing for large and small animals, examination room, surgery, clinical pathology laboratory, quarantine facility (approved by the Australian Government for importation from overseas), necropsy room, pharmacy, office suite and staff amenities. A separate building provides hospital and rehabilitation wards and an examination room for native wild animals, approximately 900 of which are admitted each year.
Taronga Zoo employs four clinical veterinarians, a veterinary pathologist, a laboratory manager, a nutritionist, six veterinary nurses, and other support staff.
The veterinary pathologist provides a gross pathology service for Taronga Zoo and histopathology service for both zoos. Taronga is also the only zoo in Australasia to employ a full time nutritionist. The TWH has a clinical pathology laboratory and most samples are processed in-house. This includes haematology, biochemistry, microbiology and parasitology. The nursing team is highly trained in husbandry and veterinary nursing care of native and exotic animals. In addition to general administrative duties, the TWH Administrative Assistant manages the student externship and internship programs, record keeping for the hospital and provides the public interface for wildlife admissions and inquiries. Taronga operates the Australian Registry of Wildlife Health (ARWH), a national wildlife health reference centre and diagnostic resource managed by veterinary pathologist Dr. Karrie Rose. ARWH provides a valuable resource for wildlife health, disease surveillance and veterinary pathology.
Students are trained under the instruction and guidance of the following staff:
Senior Veterinarian Dr Larry Vogelnest BVSc (Hons), MVS (Wild Med), MACVSc, PSM
Associate Veterinarian Dr Frances Hulst BVSc (Hons), MVS (Wild Med)
Associate Veterinarian Dr Kimberly Vinette Herrin MS DVM
Associate Veterinarian Dr Gabrielle Tobias BVSc (Hons), BSc (Vet) (Hons.), MSc, Dip Vet Clin
Stud, MAppSc (Wildlife Health and Population Management)
Diagnostic Veterinary Pathologist Dr Lydia Tong MA VetMB
Nutritionist Ms Michelle Shaw MSc (Comparative Animal Nutrition)
Laboratory Manager Mr Paul Thompson MS
Manager, Veterinary Nurses Ms Elizabeth Hall
Student working hours are 7:40am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays). Weekend attendance is not required.
From 7:40 to 8:30am the clinical veterinarians, pathologist and nutritionist meet to review cases and set the work agenda for the day. Following the meeting, clinical rounds are done in the hospital and in the zoo grounds. Procedures for the day generally take place in the hospital between 10:30am and 12:15pm, although larger procedures are usually scheduled earlier in the day. If necessary, procedures continue in the afternoon. Necropsy examinations usually take place in the early afternoon. Generally there is time for record keeping, paperwork, meetings and research in the afternoons.
Students are able to participate in all aspects of direct animal work at the discretion of the attending veterinarian and may have the opportunity to attend selected meetings and talks.
Students must have had a tuberculosis test within 12 months prior of commencing their externship. Students must be covered by accident insurance (either through their university or personal). Please note that general travel insurance will NOT cover veterinary students during their externships. They must specifically seek insurance that will cover this type of program.
Travel and accommodation must be organised by students prior to arrival. We have a list of contacts for accommodation, including rooms in private residences. Advice regarding travel to and from Taronga Zoo can be provided on request.