Healesville Sanctuary

AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE HEALTH CENTRE

14 December 2005

The Australian Wildlife Health Centre is a working veterinary hospital that is designed around a large circular public gallery with views into eight key zones:

The Impact Theatre

The shimmering gold ventricles of the roof descend into the heart of the building and connect to a central visitor space called the Impact Theatre. A 10-minute audio-visual presentation explains the philosophies, values and vision of the centre.

The Operating Theatre

This zone showcases the work of skilled veterinarians and nurses performing surgical procedures.

Laboratory

Real-life diagnoses are performed by veterinarians, using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools such as the ‘Coolscope’ (a microscope built into a computer). Visitors will also be able to investigate cases through four diagnostic microscope stations.

Post-mortem

Through a glass window, visitors will witness the post-mortem process and be able to talk to the veterinary pathologist. Visitors will learn the importance of knowledge gained through post-mortem in identifying health issues in individual animals and populations.

Emergency

Wildlife patients are brought into Emergency by members of the public, shelter operators, wildlife officers, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and animal welfare organisations for emergency assessment and treatment.

The Rescue Zone

Interpretive elements, featuring a small car, reach into the gallery space to tell the story of roadside rescue. This display reverses the human/animal roles in roadside rescue drama with two kangaroos driving the car to give a new perspective on road safety.

Care and Recovery

Focuses on patient hospitalisation, treatment, nutrition and the expert care from staff required to help animals on the road to recovery. The display includes a range of hospital beds and includes a hospital ward.

Reintroduction

Through a range of activities, this zone tells the story of rehabilitation and release. Experiences include using a radio-tracking antenna to locate a toy animal and a heart-beat display where visitors can put on a stethoscope to hear the heartbeats of eight species and compare them to their own.
 
Further information:
Nicole Humble
Communications Manager
nhumble@zoo.org.au
03 5957 2856
0437 170 566

Click here to download a PDF of the fact sheet.