Zoo vet award

By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre (AWHC) and its Vet for a Day program have been recognised as outstanding innovations in the zoo industry.
The AWHC was named best large-scale exhibit out of more than 60 zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Oceania, while the Sanctuary’s Department of Discovery and Learning received the ARAZPA Education Award for an outstanding achievement to educational program design.
The awards were announced last week at the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) Conference in Perth.
Vet for a Day is a careers program which brings students from all around Victoria to the sanctuary to experience first-hand the day-to-day tasks of a wildlife vet.
“The students who take part are very committed,” education officer Hilary Tabrett said.
“This program helps them to make choices about working as a vet or with animals in the future.”
Sanctuary veterinarian, Dr Rupert Baker, said receiving the best exhibit award was recognition that the AWHC, which opened in December, is a unique concept which incorporates not only the work of the veterinary department and the display aspect of the centre, but which provides an opportunity for education of the public.
The Sanctuary’s director, Matt Vincent, said winning the awards demonstrated Healesville Sanctuary’s leadership and innovation in the industry.
“The AWHC and the Vet for a Day program are excellent examples of our commitment to providing experiences that connect people with wildlife to enhance their understanding of the delicate world in which we live,” Mr Vincent said.