Of all the cats the Snow Leopard has the thickest coat which provides warmth during the extreme winters.
Vet Profile: Dr Larry Vogelnest
Dr Larry Vogelnest, Senior Veterinarian at Taronga Zoo.
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How long have you been working as a vet at Taronga Zoo?
I started work at Taronga Zoo in January 1990 - so I have been here nearly 18 years. I graduated in 1984.
How did you get into Veterinary work as a profession?
Growing up in South Africa I was always interested in working with wildlife. I decided to do vet science as I felt that this would be a good degree to have to give me a better chance of ultimately fulfilling my dream of working with wildlife. After migrating to Australia in 1979 I got into vet science at Sydney Uni. I did work experience at Taronga Zoo and worked with Australian wildlife. I also had a temporary job as a keeper at Taronga Zoo while going through Uni. In 1990 I was successful in getting an internship at Taronga Zoo and then was fortunate enough to get a permanent job.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the variety of animals I get to work with - anything from a frog to an elephant on any given day - my days are never boring. It is also very rewarding work knowing that I am contributing to the conservation of so many endangered species - either directly or through education.
What has been the wildest moment of your career so far?
Wild moments happen just about every day, but probably the most exciting things that I have been involved with were the transport of our elephants from Thailand to Cocos Keeling Islands and then to Australia, the transport of 10 gorillas from Holland to Australia and accompanying a black rhino from Western Plains Zoo to England.
