The construction site of Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s new Wildlife Hospital is a hive of activity with the main building for the $14 million precinct now well underway.

The concrete slab for the buildings in the precinct is now complete and the structural steel and timber purlins for the main building have been installed. The roof installation is underway as well as the structural steel for the grand verandah. The animal rehabilitation enclosures behind the main building are also progressing well.

“The construction is really on the home stretch now for this new facility and it’s great to see the progress that has been made over the past year,” said Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW and Member for the Dubbo electorate, Dugald Saunders.

“The new Wildlife Hospital is a valuable service for western and central western NSW providing critical care for injured and sick wildlife. The NSW Government is very proud to provide funding for such a valuable asset in regional NSW,” said Mr Saunders.

As part of the new Wildlife Hospital precinct a Regent Honeyeater aviary is also being constructed so that guests can learn about this critically endangered species and the zoo-based conservation breeding program to save them from extinction. 

The new Wildlife Hospital is set to be a unique aspect of the overall zoo experience, allowing guests to see the Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital team in action and learn about wildlife conservation.

Over the coming months windows, doors and wall cladding will be installed and external landscaping such as paths and walkways will commence as well as the electrical and mechanical services for the main building and animal rehabilitation areas.

“The construction has really progressed well despite the challenging Covid-19 situation and the ongoing wet weather experienced in Dubbo,” said Taronga Western Plains Zoo Director, Steve Hinks.

“The new Wildlife Hospital will allow us to expand the critical work of our veterinary team in their care for injured and sick wildlife and provide an educational opportunity to guests and school students about the service it provides our region and preventative health care programs.”

Construction of the new Wildlife Hospital is due for completion by mid-2022 with the Wildlife Hospital team moving into the new facility shortly after. Construction of the Wildlife Hospital is funded by the NSW Government. The project is also supported by philanthropic donations to expand the critical work of our veterinary team in their care for injured and sick wildlife, as well as our conservation and preventative health care programs. 

Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital has assessed and treated over 700 wildlife cases in the last 12 months. The new purpose-built Wildlife Hospital will also dramatically enhance the Zoo’s capacity and capability to respond to wildlife emergencies such as drought, bushfire and flood, as well as be a valuable teaching institution for veterinary students.

To support the critical services of the Wildlife Hospital in Dubbo and the ongoing work the team undertake to conserve wildlife please donate at taronga.org.au/donate/wildlife-hospitals.