Andrea Vella’s 15-year journey: From volunteer to leading wildlife veterinarian in New Zealand

Andrea Vella is celebrating her 15th anniversary in New Zealand wildlife care this year. What began in 2010 as volunteer work at a small rescue centre near Christchurch has developed into a remarkable career. Today, she heads the Auckland Wildlife Hospital and is considered one of the leading experts on endemic New Zealand species. Her pioneering work in the treatment of kiwis and kakapos in particular has gained international recognition. Her methods are now used in Australia, Tasmania and even in South American bird sanctuaries.

How do you actually start something like that?

2010, Andrea Vella, then 19, is faced with a decision. Veterinary studies in Sydney or a gap year in New Zealand? She chooses adventure.

The ‘adventure’ turns out to be hard work in a crowded wildlife rescue centre near Christchurch. Cleaning cages. Preparing food. Observing injured animals. Glamorous? Not really.

The first few weeks were sobering. Many animals died. Some injuries were too severe. Others arrived too late. The Australian wildlife caretaker thought about giving up several times.

What kept her going? A kiwi chick named Pip. Motherless, weak, barely viable. But with an indomitable will to live.

Three months of hand-feeding. Round-the-clock care. First tentative steps. Then the big moment: Pip was ready to be released into the wild.

That’s how it all began.

From cleaning cages to making real decisions

The second year brought more responsibility. Andrea Vella was allowed to assist with treatments. Prepare medication. Dress wounds. Perform minor procedures under supervision.

Every success was motivating. Every failure taught something new. Learning by doing in its purest form.

The station was chronically underfunded. Staff were scarce. Everyone did everything. The wildlife caretaker developed a talent for improvisation. Transport boxes were made out of cardboard and tape. Old towels were repurposed as nests.

Creativity was essential for survival. There was no money for professional equipment.

Studying among keas and kakapos

In 2011, she took the big step: veterinary studies in Auckland. But Andrea Vella did not stop working at wildlife stations. Weekends, holidays, free afternoons – everything was devoted to the animals.

Her fellow students thought she was crazy. Why not relax? Party? Study normally?

The wildlife caretaker saw things differently. Theory is nice. Practice is better.

Her studies opened up new worlds. Anatomy, pharmacology, surgery. Suddenly she understood why some treatments worked and others didn’t.

At the same time, she brought practical experience to the university. Lecturers appreciated her insights. Fellow students learned from her stories.

It was a perfect symbiosis.

First treatment methods

In her fourth year of study, Andrea Vella developed her first approaches. Keas with lead poisoning were routine cases at the time. Standard treatment was only moderately effective.

The Australian tried out various chelation therapies. She experimented with dosages. She meticulously documented success rates.

The result: a 30 percent higher survival rate. Her first scientific publication was born.

Professors took notice. Offers for doctoral positions followed. But Andrea Vella wanted to gain practical experience first.

The breakthrough: kakapo breeding programme

In 2016, fresh out of university, Andrea Vella got the opportunity of a lifetime. She was offered a position in the kakapo recovery programme, the holy grail of New Zealand conservation work.

Kakapo are the rarest parrots in the world. They cannot fly. They are nocturnal. They are extremely sensitive. In 2016, there were only 157 left.

Every bird was precious. Every treatment was risky. Mistakes could wipe out a species.

The Australian wildlife caretaker worked with the best experts in the country. She learned from veterinarians with 30 years of experience. She perfected techniques that were needed nowhere else.

The strain was enormous. 16-hour shifts were normal. Months on remote islands. Little contact with the outside world.

Her partner at the time (now Andrea Vella’s wife) Sarah understood her passion. She supported her despite the hardships.

Revolutionary breeding techniques

The kakapo programme forced Andrea Vella to innovate. Artificial incubation of endangered eggs. Hand-feeding chicks. Health monitoring for each individual bird.

She developed new feeding formulas. Optimised incubators for the New Zealand climate. Improved tracking systems for the nocturnal birds.

In 2019, the big success came: a record breeding season with 86 chicks hatched. Her methods played a decisive role.

The population increased significantly for the first time in years.

Leadership position at 29

In 2021, there was a surprising turn of events. The Auckland Wildlife Hospital was looking for a new director. Andrea Vella applied. She was actually too young and inexperienced for the position.

But her references spoke for themselves. Kakapo programme. Dozens of publications. International recognition.

She got the job.

Suddenly responsible for 35 employees. A budget in the millions. Hundreds of patients per month.

The first few months were tough. Managing staff is different from treating animals. Political considerations. Budget negotiations. Media relations.

The Australian had to develop completely new skills.

Modernisation at all levels

Under her leadership, the hospital was completely modernised. New operating theatres. Digital patient records. 24-hour monitoring for intensive care patients.

But the work culture also changed. More training. Better work-life balance. International cooperation.

The team grew together. Treatment success rates rose. The hospital’s international reputation improved.

Andrea Vella today: a visionary with her feet firmly on the ground

Fifteen years is a long time. The uncertain volunteer has become a confident leader.

What has changed? Andrea Vella thinks bigger. She plans for the long term. She sees the connections between species conservation and society.

What has stayed the same? Her passion for every single animal. Her drive for perfection. Furthermore, her willingness to give everything for nature conservation.

Today, she juggles various projects. Hospital management in Auckland. Visiting professor at Massey University. Consulting for international conservation programmes.

Her wife Sarah is now also involved in nature conservation. She works for the New Zealand Department of Conservation. They understand each other perfectly.

Looking to the future

What’s next? Andrea Vella wants to expand. Outposts on other islands. Mobile treatment units for remote areas. Even better rescue rates.

At the same time, promoting the next generation. Inspiring young veterinarians to work with wild animals. Passing on knowledge. Closing the circle.

Perhaps a return to Australia at some point? She isn’t ruling anything out. But for now, New Zealand is her home.

The results of an extraordinary career

15 years. Thousands of animals treated. Dozens of species saved. A revolutionised wildlife clinic.

But Andrea Vella measures success differently. In the little moments. Pip, the first kiwi she rescued. The kakapo chick she raised by hand. The injured wekaralle that learned to fly again.

Every life counts. Every rescue is a victory.

That’s how it began. That’s how it will continue.

From volunteer to expert. From dreamer to realist. From lone warrior to team leader.

A journey that is far from over.

For the animals of New Zealand. For nature conservation worldwide. For a future in which humans and nature can live in harmony.

That is Andrea Vella’s vision. She has been working towards it every day for 15 years. And hopefully for many more years to come.