Construction of Taronga Western Plains Zoo's wildlife hospital is under way, with local firm David Payne Constructions having been granted the tender.
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On Monday, Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said they were anticipating the completion of the $14 million project would be mid-next year.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo director Steve Hinks said to be able to announce the start of construction of the wildlife hospital "feels like a very special day and a legacy project for years to come".
"Taronga is a conservation society first and foremost, this project will allow us to meet the needs which are increasing now like never before," Mr Hinks said.
"The facility will allow us to expand the critical work of our veterinary team as well as the conservation and preventative health care programs at the zoo. It will allow expand our opportunities and enable us to deliver the care that is necessary.
The wildlife hospital at Taronga Western Plains Zoo routinely sees close to 600 external cases each and every year.
The new wildlife hospital will "dramatically enhance" Taronga Western Plains Zoo's capability and capacity to respond to wildlife emergencies such as drought, bushfire and flood.
"We've been operating in a facility built in the 1970s [and it has] definitely limited the services we've been able to offer," Mr Hinks said.
"This is a unique design. Our veterinary team and our experts will be on the show and people will be able to see what they're doing through glass windows. The things we will be doing that we haven't done in the past is sharing those stories with the public, naturally, we will be relying on our staff and volunteers to share those stories."
Mr Hinks said they were also pleased to be working with David Payne Constructions yet again on another significant project, following on from the completion of the waterhole precinct.
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