Expanding wildlife veterinary care in Western Australia’s South West
The Margaret River Wildlife Hospital is a new, dedicated wildlife veterinary hospital established in October 2026 through a partnership between WA Wildlife and Wildlife Recovery Australia.
The new hospital represents a significant investment in wildlife conservation and veterinary services across the South West.
Our vision is to provide sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife with access to professional veterinary treatment closer to where they are rescued, while supporting the dedicated wildlife rescuers and rehabilitators working throughout the region.
Establishing Margaret River Wildlife Hospital
Margaret River Wildlife Hospital was established through the acquisition of an existing veterinary hospital in Margaret River, allowing us to develop a dedicated wildlife veterinary facility without the significant costs and delays associated with constructing a new hospital.
The project was made possible through a partnership between WA Wildlife and Wildlife Recovery Australia, with significant funding support from Lotterywest and the State NRM Program.
WA Wildlife purchased the property and existing veterinary infrastructure, while a new independent not-for-profit organisation, Margaret River Wildlife Hospital Ltd, was established to oversee the hospital’s operations.
The hospital was officially opened on 23 October 2026, marking an important milestone for wildlife conservation in regional Western Australia.
Our priorities for 2026–2027
Our initial priority is to establish a fully operational wildlife veterinary hospital capable of providing professional treatment for sick, injured and orphaned native animals from across the South West.
During 2026–2027, our focus will be on recruiting veterinary and nursing staff, upgrading clinical equipment, establishing hospital procedures and developing strong working relationships with local wildlife rescuers, rehabilitators and veterinary practices.
The hospital will provide veterinary assessment, diagnostic services, emergency treatment, surgery and ongoing medical care, helping reduce the need for injured wildlife to be transported long distances to Perth.
An important priority will also be preparing the hospital to support the regional response to H5 bird flu, including the capacity to operate as a dedicated wildlife triage facility should the disease enter local wildlife populations.
Our vision for the future
Our long-term vision is to establish Margaret River Wildlife Hospital as a leading regional wildlife veterinary hospital, providing high-quality veterinary care for Western Australia’s unique native animals.
As the hospital develops, we aim to expand its clinical capabilities, strengthen partnerships with wildlife rehabilitation groups and support opportunities for veterinary training, research and conservation.
Working alongside WA Wildlife’s established WA Wildlife Hospital and our new Busselton rehabilitation facility, Margaret River Wildlife Hospital will form an important part of a growing network of wildlife veterinary and rehabilitation services across Western Australia.
Our goal is simple: to ensure wildlife across the South West can access the professional veterinary care they need, giving more animals the best possible chance of returning to the wild.
Visit our website.
To find out more about Margaret River Wildlife Hospital, including volunteering opportunities, making a donation or general enquiries, please visit the Margaret River Wildlife Hospital website.
Discover how you can support our work and help protect native wildlife across the South West.