Dr Michael Pyne OAM
Dr. Michael Pyne, a passionate and dedicated wildlife veterinarian, has been making a significant impact on the conservation and care of Australia’s unique wildlife for over two decades. With a career spanning nearly two decades, he has played an instrumental role in the field of wildlife medicine and management.
Since 2004, Dr. Pyne has served as the Senior Veterinarian and General Manager of the renowned Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. With a team of 24 veterinary department staff and an extensive group of volunteers and students, Dr. Pyne has overseen the exceptional care provided to over 14,000 wildlife cases admitted annually.
Furthermore, Dr. Pyne has been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the health and well-being of the diverse animal collection at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which comprises approximately 1,000 animals.
Dr. Michael Pyne’s unwavering dedication, expertise, and tireless efforts have made a profound difference in the lives of countless animals and the broader field of wildlife conservation. Their remarkable contributions to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and their commitment to excellence continue to inspire and uplift those involved in the critical mission of preserving Australia’s extraordinary wildlife heritage.
1992 Bachelor of Veterinary Science : BVSc (Hons)
University of Queensland, St Lucia
2002 Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Avian Health)
Membership by examination
2020 Adjunct Associate Professor : The University of Queensland
CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
2004 – Current: Senior Veterinarian and General Manager of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital
Manage all aspects of the Wildlife Hospital, including operational, financial, staff (24 vet department staff), volunteers and students(over 100).
Responsible for the treatment of the over 14,000 wildlife cases admitted annually and the health of the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary collection (1000 animals).
Responsible for the management of research projects and research team at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
2001 – 2004: Veterinarian
Providing veterinary treatment to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary collection and the wildlife cases admitted.
2023 Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the General Division
2018 Environment Achievement Award – City of Gold Coast Australia Day awards
2012 Finalists in the Gold Coast Regional Management Excellence awards (Australian Institute of Management)
Close relationships with many relevant wildlife and conservation stakeholders including all levels of government.
Work closely with City of Gold Coast threatened species team and regular communication with the Department of Environment and
Science.
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital provides undergraduate training for vet and vet tech students, teaching and linking students to industry for
future employment opportunities.
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is committed to educating others – part of our mission statement is to play an integral role in research and
education.
I have presented at many veterinary conferences, events and media opportunities.
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has a long history of assisting with research projects and has been working with The University of Queensland. Currently lecturing in course Management and Husbandry of Zoo Animals.
Samuel Phillips, Bonnie L Quigley, Olusola Olagoke, Rosemary Booth, Michael Pyne & Peter Timms. (2020) Vaccination of koalas during antibiotic treatment for Chlamydia induced cystitis induces and improved antibody response to Chlamydia pecorum. Scientific Reports, 10
Lyndal S. Hulse, Kenneth Beagley, William Ellis, Sean Fitzgibbon, Amber Gillet, Ben Barth, Amy Robbins, Michael Pyne, Rebecca Larkin, and Stephen D. Johnston (2020) Epidemiology of chlamydia-induced reproductive disease in male koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from southeast Queensland, Australia as assessed from penile urethral swabs and semen. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 56(1)
AG Hill, MM Dennis and M Pyne (2016) Squamous cell carcinoma with hepatic metastasis in a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Australian Veterinary Journal. 94, 83-86
K. Ballantyne, S.T. Anderson, M. Pyne, V. Nicolson, A. Mucci, A. Lisle and S.D. Johnston. (2016) Use of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist azaline B to control the oestrous cycle in the koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 28, 1684 – 1694
Andrea Wallage, Lauren Clarke, Lindy Thomas, Michel Pyne, Lyn Beard, Arther Ferguson, Allan Lisle and Stephen Johnston. (2015) Advances in the captive breeding and reproductive biology of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Australian Journal of Zoology, 63, 181-191
SD Johnston, RA Booth, M Pyne, T Keeley, JT Mackie, L Hulse and W Ellis (2013) Preliminary study of feacal cortisol and cortisone as an index of acute cortisol secretion in the koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Australian Veterinary Journal, 91, 534 – 537
Michael J. Simmonds, Oguz K. Baskurt, Herbert J. Meiselman, Michael Pyne, Michael Kakanis, Ekua Brenu, James Keane, Rhys Christy and Sonya M. Marshall-Gradisnik. (2011) Haemorheology of the eastern grey kangaroo and the Tasmainian devil. Australian Journal of Zoology, 59, 26-34
Camryn D. Allen, Deidre L. deVillies, Brett D.Manning, David S. Dique, Michelee Burridge, Mandy L. Chafer, Vere N. Nicolson, Sophia C. Jago, Allan J. McKinnon, Rosemary J. Booth, Jeff J. McKee, Michael J. Pyne, Yeng Peng Zee, Goeff Lundie-Jenkins, Peter Theilemann, Richard J. Wilson, Frank N. Carrick and STpehen D. Johnston. (2010) Seasonal reproduction in wild and captive male koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in south-east Queensland. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 22, 695-709
Zee, YP; Holt, VW; Nicolson, V; Pyne, M ; Johnston SD. (2009) Individual variability in post-thaw sperm survival in a captive koala population Cryobiology 59, 69–74
Yeng Peng Zee, William V. Holt, Jaime Gosalvez, Camryn D, Allen, Vere Nicolson, Michael Pyne, Michelle Burridge, Frank N. Carrick and Stephen D. Johnston. (2008) Dimethylacetamide can be used as an alternative to glycerol for the successful cryopreservation of koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) spermatozoa. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 20, 724–733
Camryn D. Allen, Michelle Burridge, Sarah Mulhall, Mandy L.Chafer, Vere N. Nicolson, Michael Pyne, Yeng Peng Zee, Sophia C. Jago, Goeff Lundie-Jenkins, William V. Holt, Frank N. Carrick, Jonathan D. Curlewis, Allan T. Lisle, and Stephen D. Johnston. (2007) Successful Artificial Insemination in the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Using Extended and Extended-Chilled Semen Collected by Electroejaculation Biology of Reproduction 78, 661–666
RJ Ploeg, V Nicolson, M Pyne, R Webb and P O’Donoghue (2008) Hepatozoon tachyglossi in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Australian Veterinary Journal :86:200-201
S.D. Johnston, B. Smith, M. Pyne, D. Stenzel and W.V. Holt (2007) One-Sided Ejaculation of Echidna Sperm Bundles The American Naturalist vol. 170, no. 6 , E162-E164
S.D. Johnston, V. Nicolson, C. Madden, S. Logie, M. Pyne, A. Roser, A.T. Lisle, M. D’Occhio (2005) Assessment of reproductive status in male echidnas Animal Reproduction Science 97; 114–127
SD Johnston, C Madden, V Nicolson, G Cowin, M Pyne and R Booth (2006) Venipuncture in the Short-beaked Echidna. Australian Veteriney Journal;84:66-67
SD Johnston, C Madden, V Nicolson, M Pyne (2006) Identifying the sex of Short-beaked Echidnas. Australian Veterinary Journal ;84:63-65