Wildlife and zoo nursing at The Nest Te Kōhanga (Wellington Zoo Hospital)

ABSTRACT

This is a review of volunteering as a veterinary nurse at The Nest Te Kōhanga, Wellington Zoo, with the focus on conservation, sustainable practices and the difficulties that come with zoo and wildlife nursing in terms of evidence-based research. Many similarities can be found between the job roles of a small animal veterinary nurse and a wildlife or zoo veterinary nurse, and these are discussed.

Keywords:

• conservation
• wildlife health
• sustainability
• exotic species
• zoo veterinary nurse
• volunteer work

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the staff at Wellington Zoo and The Nest Te Kōhanga, for sharing their time, knowledge and expertise with me.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Catherine Dean

Catherine Dean BSc RVN

The author spent two weeks volunteering for The Nest Te Kōhanga, Wellington Zoo, whilst travelling in New Zealand. Catherine graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013 and is now employed by Davies Veterinary Specialists, Higham Gobion. Her interests include anaesthesia, surgical and critical care nursing.