Liz Arthur

Senior Vet Nurse, Taronga Zoo

Which animals do you work with?

I work at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital. The animals I work with vary greatly from small native mammals, birds and reptiles through to exotic and endangered species.

How long have you been working as a vet nurse?

I have been working at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital as a veterinary nurse since 1991. Before that I worked in private veterinary hospitals looking after cats and dogs from 1987.

How did you get into vet nursing as a profession?

I have always loved animals and always dreamt of having a job at the zoo. I filled in for someone that was on maternity leave from the Taronga Wildlife Hospital in 1991. Once my foot was in the door I never looked back. A job became available, I applied and was successful. I have been here ever since.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I love the fast pace of the hospital. My favourite section to work in the hospital is Veterinary Nursing. I love doing anaesthetics and helping the animals overcome injuries and illness. I also love working with the Taronga staff. They are a group of very talented people, which makes for a great team.

What has been the wildest moment of your career so far?

The wildest moment of my career is to be responsible for assisting with large animal immobilisations and emergencies and getting the animal to go through the process safely and successfully.