Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital

05/08/2026

Recently, some of our staff attended the National Koala Conference, hosted by Koala Conservation Australia (KCA). Two of our veterinarians, Associate Professor Michelle Campbell-Ward and Dr Alisdair Eddie, together with Koala and Wildlife Carer Coordinator Liz Arthur, spent three jam-packed days in Port Macquarie soaking up the latest scientific and social research on koala health, welfare, and conservation, while veterinary nurse Joceline Alfaro joined the conference virtually.

A highlight was the opportunity for our team to contribute to the national conversation on koala care and conservation. Dr Eddie presented on how the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital is empowering the next generation of veterinarians to improve outcomes for koalas. Associate Professor Campbell-Ward presented on the ethics of koala triage, treatment, and rehabilitation.

The conference provided valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues from our local wildlife care community and the University of Sydney's Koala Health Hub, as well as wildlife rehabilitators, cultural leaders, policy makers, and veterinary and research teams from across Australia, all working towards better outcomes for koalas.

We congratulate KCA for organising such a collaborative, inspiring, and educational event. However, there is no time to rest. The many presentations, discussions, and conversations made it clear that there is still much work to be done to protect koalas and the habitats they need to thrive.

Koala Hospital Port Macquarie

30/07/2026

When should we intervene to help wildlife? And when might intervention do more harm than good?

In a new The Conversation article, School of Veterinary Science academics Associate Professor Michelle Campbell-Ward and Dr Anne Quain explore the complex decisions behind wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

Drawing on their recent research published in Animal Welfare, they examine the ethical challenges of wildlife triage, treatment and rehabilitation, and why deciding to intervene is not always straightforward.

Read more below. 👇

🔗

Helping distressed wildlife without seeking advice may sometimes do more harm than good – as two experts explain.

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:






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