CurreNT PROJECTS
Every day, the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is working to protect Australia's unique wildlife through rehabilitation, threatened species recovery, research and education. As a not-for-profit conservation organisation receiving no ongoing government funding, every project undertaken at the sanctuary is made possible through the generosity of our supporters, corporate partners, grant providers and dedicated volunteers.
From giving injured wildlife a second chance, to breeding endangered species for release back into the wild, our conservation programs are creating measurable outcomes for wildlife across New South Wales and beyond.
Wildlife Rehabilitation
The Hills Wildlife Sanctuary provides specialised pre-release care and rehabilitation for a diverse range of injured, orphaned and displaced native wildlife. The sanctuary offers large, naturally landscaped, species-specific enclosures where animals can safely regain their strength, develop natural behaviours and prepare for a successful return to the wild.
Working alongside an extensive network of wildlife carers and veterinarians, the sanctuary supports some of Australia's most vulnerable native species through purpose-built rehabilitation facilities designed to maximise welfare and release success.
Wombat Pre-Release Program
The sanctuary proudly partners with highly experienced wombat carers from across New South Wales to provide one of the state's premier pre-release facilities for orphaned wombats. Featuring multiple spacious outdoor rehabilitation pens, the facility allows young wombats to transition from hand-rearing to life in a natural environment. As joeys mature, the sanctuary team carefully weans them from milk feeds, encourages natural grazing behaviour and prepares them for the long journey back to independence before release into the wild. Made possible through the generous support of the Allowed to Grow Old Foundation and IFAW, the facility has successfully released more than 12 orphaned wombats back into their natural habitat during the past 12 months.
Possum Pre-Release Program
Each year the sanctuary rehabilitates numerous Ring-tailed and Brush-tailed Possums requiring extended pre-release care. Large outdoor aviaries enable possums to strengthen their climbing abilities, adapt to outdoor conditions and gradually transition onto a completely natural diet. To support this process, the sanctuary team spends countless hours each week collecting a diverse range of fresh browse and native foliage from across Sydney, ensuring each possum is exposed to the variety of food sources it will encounter once released. By replicating natural conditions as closely as possible, the program gives every possum the greatest opportunity for a successful return to the wild.
Flying Fox Pre-Release Facility
Grey-headed Flying Foxes are a threatened keystone species that play an essential role in maintaining Australia's forests through pollination and seed dispersal. Thanks to the generous support of Servcorp, the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is home to one of New South Wales' largest dedicated flying fox pre-release facilities. The expansive flight aviary allows injured bats to safely rebuild their flight strength, endurance and confidence before returning to the wild. The facility also supports wildlife carers from across New South Wales by providing access to a large-scale rehabilitation enclosure that would otherwise be unavailable, significantly improving rehabilitation outcomes for this vital native species.
Deployable Wildlife Hospital
By the end of 2026, the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary will become home to a state-of-the-art Deployable Wildlife Hospital, significantly enhancing the sanctuary’s capacity to treat injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife from across the local region. The purpose-built mobile facility will provide a dedicated space for emergency triage, veterinary treatment, intensive care and short-term hospitalisation, allowing many animals to receive critical care on site before continuing their rehabilitation journey. The hospital will significantly support local wildlife carers, who often struggle to access experienced wildlife veterinarians.
The sanctuary is currently seeking corporate sponsors, philanthropic partners and community supporters to help fund the hospital which has been acquired through a loan, as well as its operational expenses. Ongoing veterinary treatment, specialised medical equipment, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and consumable supplies represent a significant ongoing cost, and community support will play a vital role in ensuring the hospital can provide lifesaving care to thousands of native animals for many years to come.
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Species Recovery &
Re-wilding Programs
Beyond rehabilitation, the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is actively contributing to the recovery of some of Australia's most threatened native species through collaborative breeding, research and re-wildling programs.
Working alongside leading conservation organisations, government agencies, universities and wildlife institutions, these programs aim to establish secure insurance populations, increase genetic diversity and support the long-term reintroduction of endangered species into protected habitats.
Bush Stone-curlew Recovery Program
The Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is proud to be partnering with Phillip Island Nature Parks to establish a breeding program for the endangered Bush Stone-curlew. Once common, Bush Stone-curlews became extinct on Phillip Island following the introduction of foxes. Following the successful eradication of foxes from the island, conservation organisations are now working together to restore this iconic species. The sanctuary is helping breed birds destined for future release onto Phillip Island, with the long-term vision of expanding the program to assist recovery efforts throughout other parts of the species' former mainland range.
Dural Land Snail Conservation Program
Hidden beneath the leaf litter of the Hills District lives one of Australia's rarest and most endangered invertebrates - the Dural Land Snail. Endemic to the local area, this remarkable species represents an important part of the region's natural heritage. Despite the vital ecological role that land snails play in nutrient cycling and healthy forest ecosystems, they remain one of the world's most overlooked groups of threatened wildlife. The Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has successfully bred the species and, with generous support from Bendigo Bank - Community Bank Galston, is expanding the program through collaborative research with leading universities and conservation organisations. The project aims to improve understanding of the species while developing long-term conservation strategies to secure its future.
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Parma Wallaby Recovery Program
The Parma Wallaby has one of Australia's most remarkable conservation success stories.
Believed to be extinct due to predation by cats and foxes, the species was rediscovered on an island off the coast of New Zealand during the 1960s. Through decades of dedication, conservationist and philanthropist Peter Pigott helped secure the future of the species by establishing a carefully managed breeding population at his property in Mt Wilson in the Blue Mountains. Today, the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is honoured to be one of only a small number of conservation facilities entrusted to continue this remarkable 50-year legacy in partnership with the Invasive Species Council. The sanctuary manages an important insurance population while supporting future release programs into protected predator-free reserves, helping secure the future of Australia's smallest wallaby.
EDucation
Conservation begins with education.
Although the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is not open for general public admission, education remains one of the organisation's core pillars. By inspiring people to value Australia's wildlife, the sanctuary is helping create the next generation of conservation advocates.
The sanctuary delivers immersive conservation experiences, professional training programs and community outreach initiatives that connect people with wildlife in meaningful and memorable ways.
Behind the Scenes Conservation Experiences
Guests can book exclusive Behind the Scenes Conservation Experiences, offering a rare opportunity to explore a working wildlife sanctuary that is normally closed to the public.
Led by experienced wildlife keepers, these private guided tours provide an up-close look at wildlife rehabilitation, threatened species breeding and conservation projects while allowing guests to meet many of the sanctuary's permanent resident education animals. Every booking directly supports ongoing conservation and wildlife rescue efforts. Visit our ‘Experiences’ page to book your own tour today.
Student Placements
The Hills Wildlife Sanctuary proudly supports the next generation of wildlife professionals by providing hands-on placement opportunities for TAFE and university students. Working alongside experienced wildlife keepers, students gain valuable practical experience in wildlife rehabilitation, animal husbandry, conservation management and sanctuary operations while contributing directly to meaningful conservation outcomes. By investing in education today, the sanctuary is helping ensure Australia's wildlife has passionate, skilled conservationists for generations to come.
Wildlife Carer & Veterinary Training
Throughout the year, the sanctuary hosts a variety of practical workshops, professional development courses and training days for wildlife carers, veterinary professionals and conservation practitioners.These programs help build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to improve wildlife care standards across New South Wales while strengthening the broader wildlife rehabilitation network.
