Dr. Larry Vogelnest – Senior Veterinarian, Taronga Zoo

Dr. Larry Vogelnest is the senior veterinarian at Taronga Zoo and manages the Taronga Wildlife Hospital.

Dr Vogelnest graduated with a BVSc degree from the University of Sydney in 1984. He then worked in a mixed private practice before travelling overseas and working in England.  On return to Australia he worked in an avian practice in Sydney before starting as a Veterinary Intern at Taronga Zoo in 1990.  During this time he completed a Masters in Veterinary Studies in Wildlife Medicine and Husbandry.  The research for his masters was on haematology and biochemistry of Australian cockatoos.  Since completing his internship, Dr Vogelnest has been employed by the Taronga Conservation Society Australia and is currently the Senior Veterinarian.  He is responsible for the health of the Zoo’s animal population and sick, injured and orphaned native Australian wildlife admitted to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital.  In 1996 Dr Vogelnest gained membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Zoo Animal Medicine.  In 1998, Dr Vogelnest took a 12 month sabbatical, and worked at Melbourne Zoo for two months and Victoria’s Open Range Zoo at Werribee for 10 months, where he was employed as their first full-time veterinarian, before returning to Taronga Zoo as Senior Veterinarian.

In 2009 Dr Vogelnest was awarded a Public Service Medal for his contribution to conservation medicine and service to the Taronga Conservation Society Australia. Dr Vogelnest is the Principal Editor of “Medicine of Australian Mammals”, CSIRO Publishing (2008) and author and co-author on several chapters and the Principal Author and editor of “Radiology of Australian Mammals” CSIRO Publishing (2015).

Dr Vogelnest specialises in the health and reproductive management of small populations including ex situ breeding programs for endangered species.  He has participated in and advised on both in situ and ex situ components of numerous conservation projects, both in Australia and overseas.  He has extensive experience with preventative medicine programs, zoonotic disease management, chemical restraint, reproductive management and clinical medicine in a wide range of species.  His experience extends across mammalian, avian, reptilian and amphibian taxa.