Construction has commenced in Mosman on Australia’s first wildlife specialist teaching hospital, located at Taronga Zoo.
Wildlife Care Expansion in Mosman
Taronga Zoo’s existing wildlife hospital, active since the 1970s, is being replaced by a new $80 million facility (SSD-33211326) aimed at advancing veterinary treatment, research and education. The hospital will expand on decades of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and will offer specialised surgical, recovery and care facilities for hundreds of native animals each year.
Response to Natural Disasters
The 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, which had a severe impact on billions of animals, prompted the development of the hospital. Taronga’s veterinary team played a key role in treating species such as koalas, wallabies, platypus, and amphibians during the crisis. The incident highlighted the need for modernised care infrastructure to meet the rising demand caused by more frequent natural disasters.
Features and Facilities
The new facility at Mosman will include:
- Surgical theatres and recovery spaces for marine turtles, reptiles and amphibians
- Expanded quarantine zones for wildlife rescued from illegal trade or transferred under conservation breeding programs
- A pathology lab for onsite analysis
- A Zoo Nutrition Centre to manage animal diets
- Public viewing galleries for zoo visitors to observe veterinary procedures
The facility also aims to strengthen wildlife education through designated training spaces for students, vets, and volunteer carers.
Support and Funding
Funding includes $40.7 million from the NSW Government, with the remaining costs being raised through philanthropic donations. The project aims to improve state capacity for wildlife first aid by sharing critical care knowledge with trained carers and volunteers across New South Wales.
Outlook for Wildlife Health in Mosman
When finished, the Mosman facility will take over the current veterinary, quarantine and nutrition roles at the zoo. It will also boost capabilities for treating both resident and wild animals, while supporting future generations of wildlife veterinarians and conservationists.
Published 3-May-2025