Leanne Wicker | Wildlife Health and Welfare Advisor
Zoos Victoria

Day 2 @ 13:00

Veterinary response to fire impacted wildlife; from triage to release

During the 2019/2020 bushfire season, Leanne led the veterinary response to fire affected wildlife in Victoria, as part of a wider collaboration between Zoos Victoria and DELWP under Victoria’s state government emergency response. While the devastation of ‘Black Summer’ will be felt for many years, the massive veterinary response to fire impacted wildlife – from acute emergency presentation, followed by intensive veterinary care and the longer period of rehabilitation right through to health assessment following release to the wild – has provided an immense learning opportunity for wildlife veterinarians. Historical triage and treatment protocols

raise the profile of animal welfare and drive positive change and leadership in this sector. have been reviewed, a better understanding of the long term prognosis of burn related injuries has been gained, and we have developed a deeper understanding of the rehabilitation practices which result in increased survival and improved welfare following release to the wild. This talk will present many of these learnings, providing participants with an updated approach to the veterinary care of fire affected wildlife. We will also explore some of the unique factors which impact veterinary decision making around euthanasia, treatment, housing and care when our patients are wild animals, and our aim is to see them not just survive, but thrive, after release.

Leanne Wicker, Wildlife Health and Welfare Advisor, Zoos Victoria

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Leanne Wicker / Veterinary response to fire impacted wildlife; from triage to release

Leanne Wicker, Wildlife Health and Welfare Advisor,
Zoos Victoria

Dr Leanne Wicker is an experienced wildlife veterinarian, with a passion for understanding how the health and welfare of wildlife contributes to the conservation of species and the maintenance of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems. Leanne's work has involved the veterinary care of wildlife...

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