Our Team

Our Team

Taronga's Science and Conservation Teams

The scientists of Taronga weave existing knowledge and new data together to capture the state of our environment, foresee threats, test theories and ultimately determine the most effective conservation actions we can take.

From observing individual animals to studying whole species, habitats and ecosystems, Taronga’s scientists and wildlife managers make pioneering discoveries each and every day.

Science and Conservation

Dr Justine O'Brien

Manager of Conservation Science 

Bronwyn Palmer

Assistant Behavioural Biologist 

Michelle Shaw

Manager, Wildlife Nutrition 

Dr Jo Day

Conservation Biologist

Wendy Simpson

Natural Capital Specialist 

Dr Karrie Rose

Veterinary Pathology Registrar 

Leanne Pridham

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Michael McFadden

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Jane Hall

Wildlife Health Project Officer 

Paul Thompson

Senior Laboratory Technical Officer 

Rachael Schildkraut

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Dr Monique Van Sluys

Manager of Conservation, Recovery and Restoration Programs 

Abbey Whitelock

Research and Conservation Officer, Guest Experience Officer 

Dr Tahneal Hawke

Joint Conservation Biologist 

David Slip

Research Biologist 

Neil Jordan

Joint Conservation Biologist 

Dr Ben Pitcher

BScAgr (Hons), PhD

Behavioural Biologist 

Margaret Hawkins

BSc (Hons)

Behavioural Biologist Emeritus 

Nicole Dobson

Registry Administrative Assistant 

Dr Jon Daly

Conservation Biologist 

Nick Boyle

Director, Taronga Zoo 

Andrew Elphinstone

Director of Welfare, Conservation and Science 

Claire Ford

Manager of Population Development and Welfare 

Dr Phoebe Meagher

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Chris Ewing

Manager of Restoration Programs 

 

Taronga Wildlife Hospitals

Dr Larry Vogelnest

Senior Veterinarian (Taronga Zoo Sydney and New South Wales Sentinel Koala Population Monitoring Program) 

Gillian Devaney

Wildlife Health Assistant 

Dr Benn Bryant

Senior Veterinarian 

Lydia Tong

Veterinary Pathologist 

Libby Hall

Manager of Taronga Wildlife Hospital Sydney 

Natalie Miller

Laboratory Technical Officer