This week, Australia’s first mobile wildlife hospital, Matilda, is embarking on a national tour to support wildlife care organisations, engage regional communities in wildlife-rich areas and advocate for a coordinated national wildlife care framework in Canberra.
Built and operated by Wildlife Recovery Australia (WRA), ‘Matilda’ is a custom-built mobile wildlife hospital housed inside a 22-wheel semi-trailer. Over the coming six weeks, she will travel thousands of kilometres to advocate for national wildlife care reform.
Dr Stephen Van Mil, Founder and CEO of Wildlife Recovery Australia, said the journey was a major milestone with national ambition.
‘Matilda was built here, conceived by people who see the impact of wildlife injury and illness every day. Launching this tour from our home in the Northern Rivers is about taking our frontline experience in treating and recovering native animals in peril and turning it into national capability,’ Dr Van Mil said.
The tour will combine direct clinical service delivery — treating sick, injured, and orphaned native animals with community engagement and a broader advocacy effort to highlight the urgent need for a coordinated national framework for wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation.
‘Australia’s wildlife rescue system remains largely volunteer-run, under-resourced, and fragmented across jurisdictions, despite increasing pressure from climate-driven disasters and habitat loss,’ said Wildlife Recovery Australia Chair Dr Ken Henry AC.
‘Matilda shows what’s possible when wildlife care is treated as essential infrastructure, not an afterthought.’
Dr Van Mil said, ‘Our journey combines the skills of wildlife vets and the capability of a unique wildlife hospital powered by a fuel-efficient prime mover provided by our long-term sponsors UD Trucks Australia.
‘We are truly grateful to our community, sponsors and philanthropic partners and the Australian Government through its Local Environment Projects grant, and look forward to advocating for wildlife care reform when we arrive in Canberra.’
More moving news for local wildlife
Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital have also recently received a new vehicle to help them with sick, injured and orphaned native animals.
They said in a statement, ‘Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and sponsorship from Ballina Toyota, we’re thrilled to share that we now have our rapid response wildlife support vehicle – and it’s ready to make a life-saving difference!
‘To everyone who donated, shared, and cheered us on: thank you. Your support has helped add reliable wheels to our care, meaning faster rescues, safer animal transportation, and stronger outcomes for sick, injured and orphaned native animals when they need us most.
‘From all of us at Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, and on behalf of every native animal this vehicle will help: thank you for your support.’
For more info visit www.byronbaywildlifehospital.org.
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