Research Team

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 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

Further, 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

2005 – Present: 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

Teaching

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital actively provides undergraduate training for veterinary and veterinary technician students, teaching and connecting them with the industry for future employment opportunities. The hospital is deeply committed to education, with a mission to play an integral role in research and education. Dr. Pyne has presented at numerous veterinary conferences, events, and media opportunities. Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has a long history of assisting with research projects in collaboration with The University of Queensland. Currently, Dr. Pyne lectures in the course Management and Husbandry of Zoo Animals

Research Publications

Vaccination of koalas during antibiotic treatment for Chlamydia induced cystitis induces and improved antibody response to Chlamydia pecorum

Samuel Phillips, Bonnie L Quigley, Olusola Olagoke, Rosemary Booth, Michael Pyne & Peter Timms (2020)

Epidemiology of chlamydia-induced reproductive disease in male koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from southeast Queensland, Australia as assessed from penile urethral swabs and semen

Lyndal S. Hulse, Kenneth Beagley, William Ellis, Sean Fitzgibbon, Amber Gillet, Ben Barth, Amy Robbins, Michael Pyne , Rebecca Larkin, and Stephen D. Johnston. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 56(1) (2020)

Squamous cell carcinoma with hepatic metastasis in a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

AG Hill, MM Dennis and M Pyne. Australian Veterinary Journal. 94, 83-86 (2016)

Use of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist Azaline B to control the oestrous cycle in the koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).

K. Ballantyne, S.T. Anderson, M. Pyne, V. Nicolson, A. Mucci, A. Lisle and S.D. Johnston. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 28, 1684 – 1694 (2016)

Advances in the captive breeding and reproductive biology of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Andrea Wallage, Lauren Clarke, Lindy Thomas, Michel Pyne, Lyn Beard, Arther Ferguson, Allan Lisle and Stephen Johnston. Australian Journal of Zoology, 63, 181-191 (2015)

Preliminary study of feacal cortisol and cortisone as an index of acute cortisol secretion in the koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

SD Johnston, RA Booth, M Pyne, T Keeley, JT Mackie, L Hulse and W Ellis. Australian Veterinary Journal, 91, 534 – 537 (2013)

Haemorheology of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo and the Tasmainian devil

Michael J. Simmonds, Oguz K. Baskurt, Herbert J. Meiselman, Michael Pyne, Michael Kakanis, Ekua Brenu, James Keane, Rhys Christy and Sonya M. Marshall-Gradisnik. Australian Journal of Zoology, 59, 26-34 (2011)

Seasonal reproduction in wild and captive male koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in south-east Queensland

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. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 22, 695-709 (2010)

Individual variability in post-thaw sperm survival in a captive koala population

Zee, YP; Holt, VW; Nicolson, V; Pyne, M; Johnston SD. Cryobiology 59, 69–74 (2009)

Dimethylacetamide can be used as an alternative to glycerol for the successful cryopreservation of koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) spermatozoa

Yeng Peng Zee, William V. Holt, Jaime Gosalvez, Camryn D, Allen, Vere Nicolson, Michael Pyne, Michelle Burridge, Frank N. Carrick and Stephen D. Johnston. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 20, 724–733 (2008)

Successful artificial insemination in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) using extended and extended-chilled semen collected by electroejaculation

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. Biology of Reproduction 78, 661–666 (2007)

Hepatozoon tachyglossi in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

RJ Ploeg, V Nicolson, M Pyne, R Webb and P O’Donoghue Australian Veterinary Journal :86:200-201 (2008)

One-sided ejaculation of Echidna sperm bundles

S.D. Johnston, B. Smith, M. Pyne, D. Stenzel and W.V. Holt. The American Naturalist vol. 170, no. 6 , E162-E164 (2007)

Assessment of reproductive status in male echidnas

S.D. Johnston, V. Nicolson, C. Madden, S. Logie, M. Pyne, A. Roser, A.T. Lisle, M. D’Occhio Animal Reproduction Science 97; 114–127 (2005)

Venipuncture in the Short-Beaked Echidna

SD Johnston, C Madden, V Nicolson, G Cowin, M Pyne and R Booth. Australian Veterinary Journal;84:66-67 (2006)

Identifying the sex of Short-Beaked Echidnas

SD Johnston, C Madden, V Nicolson, M Pyne. Australian Veterinary Journal ;84:63-65 (2006)