Zoo closure for vet visit

The Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary will be closed for the morning on Wednesday 6 November while the attraction’s beloved animals and birds receive their biannual health check.

Department of Primary Industry legislation for exhibiting animals in New South Wales requires a routine inspection of each animal by a qualified veterinary practitioner at least once a year.

These visits ensure any potential parasites can be monitored and controlled and vaccinations for potential diseases are kept up to date.

“We actually do a minimum of two of these visits every year,” Manager Parks and Strategic Operations Henry Pavitt said.

“It’s a general health check to ensure all the animals are well and happy.

“We also carry out an inspection of all the birds on the facility as well.”

Though some pet-owners will attest to the fact their fur-babies tend not to enjoy a trip to the vet, Mr Pavitt isn’t anticipating any rogue or mischievous behaviour from the zoo’s creatures – great or small.

“It’s true, no one likes going to the doctor… but our animals are quite used to these visits because they’ve been a regular part of their life for a long-time,” Mr Pavitt said.

“I’m sure they’ll be on their best behaviour on Wednesday.”

Mr Pavitt said the veterinary visit should wrap up around lunchtime and is anticipating “business as usual” at the zoo throughout the afternoon.