After graduating in 1984 from the University of Sydney, Dr Vogelnest worked in a mixed private practice before travelling overseas and working in England.  On return to Australia he worked in an avian practice in Sydney before starting as a Veterinary Intern at Taronga Zoo in 1990.  During this time he completed a Masters in Veterinary Studies in Wildlife Medicine and Husbandry.  The research for his masters was on haematology and biochemistry of Australian cockatoos. Since completing his internship Dr Vogelnest has been employed at Taronga Zoo and has been Senior Veterinarian since 1994. He is responsible for the health and welfare of the Zoo’s animal collection and sick, injured and orphaned native Australian wildlife brought into the Taronga Wildlife Hospital. In 1996 Dr Vogelnest gained membership to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Zoo Animal Medicine. In 1998, Dr Vogelnest took a 12 month sabbatical, and worked at Melbourne Zoo for two months and Victoria’s Open Range Zoo at Werribee for 10 months, where he was employed as their first full-time veterinarian, before returning to Taronga Zoo as Senior Veterinarian.

Dr Vogelnest is on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Australian Veterinary Journal and is the Oceania Representative of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. He is also the Principal Editor of Medicine of Australian Mammals, CSIRO Publishing (2008) and author and co-author on several chapters. In 2009 Dr Vogelnest was awarded a Public Service Medal for his contribution to conservation medicine and service to the Taronga Conservation Society Australia. 

Dr Vogelnest has participated in and advised on both in situ and ex situ components of numerous conservation projects. He specialises in the health and reproductive management of small populations including ex situ breeding programs for endangered species. He has extensive experience with preventative medicine programs, chemical restraint, reproductive management and clinical medicine in a wide range of species. His experience extends across mammalian, reptilian, amphibian and avian taxa.