Dr Sally Sherwen is the director of wildlife conservation and science at Zoos Victoria, the organisation that operates Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Kyabram Fauna Park and Healesville Sanctuary in Australia She manages the team that has a strategic focus across the zoo’s conservation and education programs, science and research programs, life sciences development (animal welfare, species planning, animal husbandry optimisation) and environmental sustainability. Her background is in animal welfare science and human-animal relationships, and she has a PhD in Animal Welfare Science.
In her role with Zoos Victoria, Sherwen leads a team of scientists and specialists that develop and deliver strategic programs in conservation, animal welfare, education and environmental sustainability.
In her previous roles, Sherwen has worked to establish an evidence-based research program in animal behaviour and welfare science, developed and implemented an institutional welfare assessment tool to advance welfare standards and designed and ran collaborative training courses with several NGOs for industry professionals and community groups.
Zoos Victoria aims to provide unique and immersive experiences, designed to inspire animal lovers of all ages, in order to strengthen the connection between people and wildlife, and in turn, protect the future of animals and the natural world we live in. It also works on breeding and recovery programs in partnership with local communities, conservationists, and organisations around the world.
The organisation’s mission is to fight wildlife extinction through scientifically sound breeding and recovery programs; to partner with the community of Victoria to create the world’s most wildlife-friendly society; to provide zoo-based animal encounters to connect people with wildlife, and to take commercial approaches to secure financial sustainability. Zoos Victoria runs and delivers more captive breeding and recovery programs than any other institution within Australia and its Wildlife Conservation Master Plan 2019-2024 is dedicated to the recovery of 27 threatened native species.