Media release – Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, 5 November 2025
“Bonorong’s new Wildlife Hospital, Open for Business”
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary today celebrated the official opening of a brand-new wildlife hospital and rehabilitation facility, built in response to increased demand for the treatment and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned animals.
Announcing the official opening of the Bonorong Wildlife Hospital & rehabilitation Facility, Bonorong CEO, Matt Clement said that the need to scale-up operations was driven by mutiple factors, including climate change and habitat loss.
“As the human footprint expands and the effects of climate change are increasingly felt, habitats across Tasmania and around the world are coming under increased pressure,” said Clement.
“We’re seeing a marked increase in the number of displaced and injured animals needing specialist veterinary treatment and rehabilitation , so as a community, we have to respond in new and innovative ways to safeguard the future of our precious wildlife.”
Bonorong’s new facilities are more than seven times larger than its first hospital, which was built in 2018. With demand on its services quickly exceeding its capacity, fundraising commenced in 2022 and construction of the new facilities commenced in October 2023.
Sanctuary owner and director, Greg Irons said that the Bonorong’s goal has always been to provide the best possible services to wildlife in need, 7 days a week.
“Animals have been arriving at the Sanctuary, at all hours of the day and the night for more than 15 years,” said Irons.
“We have a moral obligation to ensure that no animal experiences undue pain and suffering, so we’ve invested heavily in what we view as an essential community service aimed at providing wild animals with a second chance at life in the wild.”
In addition to its new wildlife facilities, Bonorong also celebrated the opening of a cat desexing clinic and a new wildlife experience for its guests called, ‘The Journey.’
CEO, Matt Clement described The Journey as an iconic project designed to inspire and motivate direct action.
“We want every visitor to our Sanctuary to walk in the footsteps of an injured animal, from the first call for help all the way through to a return to the wild,” said Clement.
“The Journey will provide guests with an insight into the inner workings of our busy wildlife hospital, leaving them with a deep appreciation for the lengths our staff and volunteers go to in order to give wild animals a second chance.”
Bonorong has invested more than $3m over the past two years on expanding its operations, with funding coming from private donors and from the proceeds of ticket sales to its wildlife sanctuary.
Matt Clement, CEO and Associate Professor Andy Flies (cutting the ribbon) from the Menzies Research Institute declaring the new hospital officially open
About Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is a privately owned enterprise, dedicated to the conservation of native species, through wildlife rescue and rehabilitation , education, and experiences that connect people and wildlife.
Its Wildlife Rescue Service handles 20,000 calls for assistance each year and operates around the clock, 365 days a year. Of the roughly 4,500 injured and orphaned animals arriving at the Sanctuary annually, approximately 1,800 undergo specialist veterinary treatment in its Wildlife Hospital.
The organisation employs 73 staff and more than 1000 volunteers across the state.
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