Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital

17/07/2026

Three of our Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital veterinarians have recently achieved Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS).

Dr Alisdair Eddie – Australasian Wildlife Health Management
Dr Sarah Foo – Australasian Wildlife Health Management
Dr Cynthia Chen – Veterinary Practice (Small Animal)

ANZCVS is Australasia's premier benchmarking qualification for veterinarians. It recognises excellence in veterinary knowledge and clinical expertise, with candidates undertaking rigorous examinations in their chosen discipline.

Cynthia, Sarah, and Alisdair have worked hard to achieve this milestone. The impact will be felt across their clinical work, our team, and the students they support every day.

👏 Join us in congratulating them.

07/07/2026

With the confirmation of H5 bird flu in a giant petrel on the NSW mid-north coast on the weekend, we wanted to provide an update on the situation and the ongoing activities at the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital.

The NSW government has activated its H5 Bird Flu Response Plan which includes increased monitoring. Bird flu has not been detected in local resident wildlife or other birds in NSW at this time and there have been no mass mortalities.

As always, but particularly during this time of heightened awareness, we encourage our community to play their part in protecting our wildlife and other animals by:
- continuing to avoid contact, record and report any sick or dead birds to the emergency animal disease hotline 1800 675 888
- reporting injured, sick or orphaned wildlife in need of safe transport to veterinary care to your local licensed wildlife rehabilitation organisation
- keeping pets safe at home or on a lead
- keeping your footwear and clothing clean when out and about
- avoiding interfering with wildlife, instead observing them from a stress-free distance

At the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital we:
- continue our everyday work to provide triage assessment, treatment and care for native wildlife during our standard operating hours (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm)
- continue our role as a contributing clinic to the Wildlife Health Australia University Based Surveillance Program
- would like to remind everyone that we are a dedicated wildlife hospital and do not provide veterinary services to pets or stray domestic animals
- kindly ask that you call us before bringing any animal to our hospital (02) 4655 0798. This helps our staff to prepare for the animal’s arrival and to ensure there is a safe space to conduct an initial assessment efficiently. This is especially important at the moment as we implement some precautionary measures to allow us to provide a high level of professional care to our patients.

Given the extensive wildlife mortalities this strain of bird flu has caused overseas, we understand this may be an anxious time for those who care so passionately about our precious wildlife and the natural environment. Thank you for working with us to help Australia’s wildlife remain as resilient as possible to this disease threat.

Want to know more about H5 bird flu?
Check out these FAQs from Wildlife Health Australia:https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Portals/0/ResourceCentre/H5BirdFlu/H5_bird_flu_FAQs.pdf
For NSW-specific bird flu updates: https://www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/dpi/biosecurity/animal-biosecurity/avian-influenza?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExTGRzSjJlSFByZjFEQzhTVXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR627o-2g7S4MIisZJluntQfUOdBRItaLa_2PFD_NBXYDexAb7uXwx1sXMCM-A_aem_fcWRt9kvA9lD48SAlCfG0Q
For national bird flu updates: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu

25/06/2026

Associate Professor Michelle Campbell-Ward highlights the importance of One Health, a concept that links human health to animals and the environment.

"This is a very good example of how a disease can have impacts on a community's well-being on multiple levels", she said of H5N1 avian influenza.

Read more:

An animal expert has highlighted an issue the entire nation needs to consider.

25/06/2026

As you have no doubt heard, high pathogenicity H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) has recently been confirmed in a few wild seabirds in Western Australia and South Australia.

For several years, this strain of H5 bird flu has been causing significant impacts on wildlife overseas. Along with our colleagues across the wildlife sector in Australia, we have been actively preparing for its likely arrival.

There are currently no cases of H5 bird flu in NSW and there is no evidence of mass mortality or spread to other animals at this point. Nevertheless, our preparedness plans continue and we remain vigilant.

Our interstate colleagues are now working diligently to implement their response plans.

This is a timely reminder: if you notice unusual numbers of sick or dead wild birds, and especially sick or dead water/sea/predatory birds or marine mammals in coastal areas, please:
- AVOID – contact
- RECORD – take photos/video and note the location
- REPORT – call the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline: 📞 1800 675 888

More information about the situation in NSW can found here:
https://www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/dpi/biosecurity/animal-biosecurity/avian-influenza

More information about the situation nationally can be found here:
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/invasive-species/diseases-fungi-and-parasites/birdflu
https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/bird-flu-avian-influenza

More information about H5 bird flu can be found here: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Resource-Centre/H5-bird-flu

Thank you for helping protect our wildlife and community.

24/04/2026

In recognition of World Veterinary Day tomorrow, we are celebrating the veterinarians who are central to the work of our Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and the wider veterinary profession.

Their work goes beyond patient care, with a valued commitment to education and training. Through roles as academics, teachers, and mentors, our veterinarians help shape the next generation of professionals, with an impact that reaches well beyond our hospitals.

Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and ongoing contribution to the profession.

23/04/2026

If you find sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife during this time, please contact a licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group in the local area. You can find your local wildlife provider by downloading the IFAW wildlife rescue app https://www.ifaw.org/au/resources/wildlife-rescue-app.

02/04/2026

Happy Easter from Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital in Camden! We will be closed during the Easter break. Please contact local wildlife rescue organisations if you find injured wildlife on your travels or near home.

29/03/2026

Today our team is at Koalatown Discovery Day at until 2pm🐨🌿.

Come down and learn more about the work we do at the supporting native wildlife and local koala populations through clinical care, research and conservation.

Chat with members of our hospital team:

💚 Liz Arthur, Koala and Wildlife Carer Coordinator
💚 Associate Professor Michelle Campbell-Ward, Veterinarian

We’re proud to be here alongside the many organisations we work closely with to support our local koala population:






Biolink

03/03/2026

This World Wildlife Day, we’re celebrating the team at our Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital in Camden who provide triage and treatment for a wide range of native animals who come through our doors, from blue‑tongues to cockatoos, turtles, koalas, and many more that come through our doors.

Our skilled veterinarians, nurses, and support staff work closely with licensed wildlife rescue rehabilitation groups to give each animal the best chance of recovery and release.

As a teaching hospital, every case becomes a learning moment. In their final year, our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students gain real‑world wildlife medicine experience by working alongside our hospital team, who prepare them to care for Australia’s animals throughout their veterinary careers.

💚 Thank you to everyone who plays a role in looking after our native wildlife.

🚨If you come across injured, sick, displaced, or orphaned wildlife, put your safety first. Keep a safe distance, especially near roads, and use the IFAW Wildlife Rescue App to find your closest licensed wildlife rescue group.

09/01/2026

🔥 Extreme Heat Alert

Prolonged hot weather places significant stress on native wildlife. During extreme heat, animals may become dehydrated, exhausted, or unable to regulate their body temperature.

What you might see this weekend:

🐨Koalas descending trees, panting, sitting low on branches, or resting near or on the ground.
🦇Flying foxes collapsing, hanging low, or falling from trees.
🐦Birds panting, holding wings out, sitting on the ground, or appearing disoriented.
🔆Possums active during the day, appearing lethargic or uncoordinated.
🦎 Reptiles inactive, exposed, or unable to move away from the heat.

🐾 How you can help
- Place shallow dishes of fresh water in shaded areas. Add sticks or stones so small animals can safely climb out.
- Keep pets restrained and away from wildlife.
- If safe to do so, provide temporary shade (such as an umbrella or shade cloth) for animals showing signs of heat stress and in direct sun.

🚑 If an animal is distressed or injured
- Contact a licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group in the local area. You can find your local wildlife provider by downloading the IFAW wildlife rescue app https://www.ifaw.org/au/resources/wildlife-rescue-app
- If safe, gently mist the surrounding area (not the animal directly) while waiting for advice.

⚠️ Important
- Do not give food or water directly into an animal’s mouth.
- Do not handle or attempt to relocate wildlife, as this can increase stress and cause injury.
- DO NOT handle flying foxes, as they can carry diseases transmissible to humans.
- Do not handle venomous snakes unless trained and licensed.

💚 These kind actions during extreme heat events can make a life‑saving difference for our native wildlife.