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126 Australian Veterinary Journal Volume 82, No 3, March 2004

The University of SydneyFaculty of VeterinaryScience is establishing the

first Australian Wildlife Health andConservation Centre (WHCC) onits Camden campus.

One of the world’s fewUniversity-based veterinarywildlife centres, the WHCCattracted $2.2 million fundingfrom the federal governmentSustainable Regions Programmeto the University of SydneyVeterinary Science Foundation.

Professor Paul Canfield, ActingDean of the Faculty of VeterinaryScience believes the Centre couldbecome a significant national and international focus forconservation and wildlife health education.

“Zoos have significant veterinary centres themselves but theirmain focus is on maintaining the zoo animal populationswhereas what we’re trying to provide is an educational centrewhere our students and visiting researchers can come and studydiseases and other aspects of wildlife conservation,” ProfesserCanfield said.

Wildlife medicine is one of the fastest growing career interestsfor veterinary students around the globe and Professor Canfieldsaid the Faculty planned to recruit people with substantialwildlife expertise to command the whole center.

In addition to its popular Masters program, the University’sFaculty of Veterinary Science has significant staff strengths inwildlife disease, pathology, epidemiology and reproductivegenetics.

“Our final year is now lecture free and there are opportunitiesfor students to take a number of electives for about a month ata time. This will fit in neatly with their final year and they’ll beable to get some valuable first hand wildlife experience at theCentre.”

The Faculty’s flagship, the WHCC will prompt theconstruction of specialized wildlife holding facilities and willspark an upgrade of the University of Sydney’s existingveterinary facilities and equipment.

It is envisaged the Centre will help develop relationships withrelevant government and non-government organisations, andwith the community, while assisting with the provision ofquality clinical services.

Despite a growing awareness within the general and scientificcommunities, both in Australia and overseas, of the urgent needto conserve and protect our unique native animals, Australia isyet to establish a world class scientific, teaching and veterinarymedical centre devoted solely to the health, welfare andconservation of native fauna.

It is hoped the WHCC will assume this role and become atraining mecca for community carers and wildlife professionalssuch as the National Parks and Wildlife Service and zoopersonnel.

“As Sydney expands rapidly, residents are becoming

increasingly aware of wildlifeand are trying to maintainand retain the wildlife,”Professor Canfield said.

“Certainly if you talk tothe local veterinarians inSydney’s fringe areas such asthe Blue Mountains and theRoyal National Park, theyare seeing more wildlifecases. That’s where I thinkthis Centre can provide realsupport to what’s happeningin the community and thechanging demands ofSydney’s veterinaryprofession.”

University of Sydney Veterinary Faculty staff currentlyprovide expertise to national and international governments,and it is anticipated the Centre will consult to both governmentand business on wildlife health emergencies and pest animalmanagement.

The Faculty is also a partner in the Pest Animal Control CRC(Cooperative Research Centre) and already supports the WHCCincluding the Zoological Parks Board of NSW, National Parksand Wildlife Service (NPWS), Wildlife Information and RescueService (WIRES), and NSW Agriculture.

Sydney University Increases Wildlife Focus

Left to right: Faculty PhD student Kellie Leigh (working in Zambia withAfrican Wild Dogs) and undergraduates Damian Solley, Anne Martin and

Pru Harvey (President of the University of Sydney Wildlife Society).Photo by Kristen Clarke

By Mark Thornley