Healesville Sanctuary has recently celebrated the second anniversary of its wildlife hospital, the Australian Wildlife Health Centre.

The AWHC, Australia’s first interactive wildlife hospital, opened its doors to visitors in December 2005. Since then this state-of-the-art facility has been a growing success.

In the two years since its opening, the AWHC veterinary team has treated over 3,000 patients, a number that is increasing by approximately 20% each year.

The centre was developed to provide visitors with all the experiences of a real-life working wildlife hospital. Designed around a public viewing gallery, visitors receive uninhibited views into the emergency room, operating theatre, diagnostic laboratory and rehabilitation area.

Healesville Sanctuary Director, John Gibbons, said the $6 million facility has been an excellent example of the ‘new zoo’ experience, where barriers are removed both literally and metaphorically and visitors are given the opportunity to really engage with animals and keepers.

“Healesville Sanctuary has always been a leading force in wildlife rescue and care.”

“The Australian Wildlife Health Centre has provided us with the opportunity to share this work with our visitors“, Mr Gibbons said.