Bonorong Wildlife Hospital

A Tasmanian First

our team

Our dedicated team comprises four veterinarians and five veterinary nurses who are experienced in wildlife medicine. All veterinarians hold degrees and have honed their skills in small animal and agricultural practices before transitioning to wildlife care. Our veterinary nurses are Certificate IV qualified and possess specialist skills in avian anesthesia, infection control, and native animal handling. Committed to enhancing the veterinary sector, we host fourth and fifth-year veterinary students, as well as volunteer vets and vet nurses, through our Wildlife Hospital Veterinary Placement Program. Applications for this program can be accessed via the attached link.

our hospital

Our diagnostic capabilities feature a wide array of tools such as digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, in-house biochemistry, and lab-based histopathology. The new hospital will further enhance our capabilities with a purpose-built rehabilitation facility designed to maximize capacity and deliver the best possible outcomes for wildlife and their caregivers. The "RECAP" initiative will expand our current four-room wildlife hospital into a comprehensive suite of treatment rooms, a high-spec surgical theatre, a diagnostic laboratory, an Intensive Care Unit, a quarantine facility, and more. All these facilities will be interconnected with our Rescue Phone, Critical Care, and Rehabilitation to Release teams, ensuring seamless care under one roof.

our partners

Bonorong Wildlife Hospital proudly partners with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and actively contributes to the Wildlife Health Australia Clinic Surveillance Program. Our research collaborations include genetic analysis of the endangered endemic Swift parrots with the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE), and studies on mange in Common wombats. We also engage in epidemiology research with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) on 'Rumpy Possum Disease' in Ringtail possums and 'Wobbly Possum Disease' in Brush-tailed possums, and collect samples from Tasmanian devils afflicted with Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) for analysis by DPIPWE and UTAS. Additionally, we conduct necropsies and trauma investigations on Wedge-tailed eagles as part of a project funded by TasNetworks, monitor platypus deaths with Wildcare group "Friends of the Hobart Rivulet Platypus" and the Australian Platypus Conservancy, and support the development of synthetic milk supplements for marsupials with the University of Sydney. Our work also includes collecting samples for genomic sequencing of Eastern Barred Bandicoots with Colossal Biosciences and supporting the development of a vaccine for DFTD in collaboration with the Menzies Institute. We engage in numerous Honours, PhD, and post-doctoral research projects with conservation-focused academics. Bonorong Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary frequently receives requests for research collaborations, and an application form is available via the attached link.

our work

At Bonorong Wildlife Hospital our primary focus is the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned native animals, with the goal of releasing them safely back to the wild.  While the animals are in our care, we share their stories with sanctuary visitors to educate and create a powerful movement for conservation.

In 2023, we treated more than 1,200 animals across an unparalleled range of species, from the magnificent wedge-tailed eagle to the diminutive pardalote, and the endangered Tasmanian devil to the curious platypus.

Alleviating pain and suffering is a key consideration for our veterinary team, with many animals having sustained critical, life-threatening injuries.  That said, we are well equipped to set many of our patients on the road to recovery and we have celebrated many notable successes.

The animals seen by our veterinary team are often involved in road trauma, cat and dog attacks, entanglement issues and many other issues (usually associated with human activities). Injuries to the wildlife can range from minor scrapes & abrasions to complex wounds & fractures requiring specialised orthopaedic surgeries and intensive care

Some animals stay in rehabilitation for many months due to the extent of their injuries and we have a multitude of dedicated staff that are all trained in different areas of expertise. There are many parts of the rehabilitation process such as specialised diets & nutrition, husbandry, exercise & fitness regimes and correct housing that are all crucial to ensure our patients get through the rehabilitation process correctly and will be fit for release.

We are incredibly proud of the successful outcomes that the hospital achieves for wildlife and how many patients get a second chance of survival.

If you would like to see the Wildlife Hospital in operation, it can be viewed as part of any ticket when you visit the Sanctuary on all days apart from Sundays.  

Project RECAP 2024 - Advancing Wildlife Rehabilition Capacity for 10 years

RECAP is a plan to build a large new hospital, rescue and rehabilitation facility, as well as associated buildings for treatment and husbandry services, for wildlife that will see us prepared for the next decade and able to handle the predicted number of animals needing assistance. 

Funds were raised through an enormous campaign in 2023 and in 2024 the new facilities have begun to come to life. May 2024 saw the new buildings arrive on-site after weeks of site work in preparation. We expect the internal fit out to be complete and the facility to become operational in August 2024 - a huge win for Tasmanian wildlife.

Stay tuned for more updates..

our history - tasmania’s first wildlife hospital

Bonorong has always been the ‘go-to’ place for people seeking help for injured wildlife. Realising the critical need for a dedicated centre that could receive, treat and care for injured wildlife, we established our Wildlife Rescue service in 2010 and we have continued to train staff and volunteers in the procedures unique to the handling and treatment of wildlife in need of specialist care.

The Bonorong team had a dream to construct and initiate a completely dedicated Wildlife Hospital to service our 24-hour Wildlife Rescue Service and provide exclusive veterinary treatment for injured and orphaned Tasmanian wildlife. 

After many years, hurdles, blood sweat & tears, we were able to make this dream a reality, and opened the doors to the ‘Bonorong Wildlife Hospital’ in 2018. This innovative service now provides safety and care to thousands of animals every year. The Bonorong Wildlife Hospital is currently the only facility of its kind in the state.

The Wildlife Hospital’s main treatment rooms have a modern viewing area installed so that guests to the Sanctuary can become a part of the rehabilitation experience. The viewing windows are made of one-way glass so that the patients can be watched by people in a setting that is safe and comfortable for their needs.