Dr. James Chatterton

All the way from Sheffield in Northern England, James brings a lot of talent and experience to his role as Manager of Veterinary Services at Auckland Zoo. After graduating in veterinary medicine at Edinburgh University, he worked with domestic species for eight years, followed by zoo and wildlife species for nine years, before joining Auckland Zoo in 2013. He loves providing veterinary care for such a large range of animals, and finds it extremely rewarding being directly involved in the conservation of endangered species. His most memorable zoo moment involved treating a male kākāpō with severe wing injuries in the Auckland Zoo Vet Hospital, releasing it back into the wild, and then coming across two of his offspring when undertaking conservation fieldwork in the wild.

“In New Zealand, we are lucky to live in a society that already values wild animals and their natural environment, however the environment is under increasing pressure. We can all easily make small changes to our own lives, and the combined effect of these millions of small changes will be a huge positive step forward for our environment.”

Dr Adam Naylor

Adam was born in southern England and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2007. After working initially in referral exotic animal practice, he moved to the USA in 2011 to undertake an internship in wildlife medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. This was followed by a Master’s degree in Wild Animal Health at London Zoo and a second internship in Zoological Medicine at Bristol Zoo Gardens. In 2014, Adam joined the veterinary department of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Edinburgh Zoo, as the first European College of Zoological Medicine Resident in Zoo Health Management in the UK. In 2018 Adam successfully passed the European and American specialist board examinations, becoming a recognised specialist in zoo and wildlife medicine on both continents. 

Adam remained in Scotland for nearly nine years, providing veterinary services to RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, and numerous field conservation projects based in Scotland and abroad. These included the reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver to the UK, the recovery of the European wildcat in Scotland, and the Gough Island Restoration programme - an ambitious project to remove invasive mice from one of the most important (and remote!) seabird nesting islands in the world. In joining our Auckland Zoo veterinary team, Adam hopes to combine his love of zoo medicine with his passion for native species conservation. He also has a soft spot for penguins and is looking forward to working with the fascinating species which call New Zealand home.

“It can often feel overwhelming to see media reports about the state of our natural world and like we’re powerless to help against such colossal global issues; however, there are always reasons for optimism! Small changes in what we eat, how we travel, and the waste we leave behind really do add up. Be a conservation optimist and make a positive change today!” You can find some helpful info on the WWF website. 

Hannah Rowland

Hannah always wanted a career where she could combine science, problem solving and compassion to improve animal health and welfare. Veterinary medicine offered the perfect blend of all three. 

Originally from Leeds in the United Kingdom, Hannah joined Auckland Zoo in 2026. After graduating from the University of Nottingham in 2011, Hannah completed a specialist residency in Zoo Health Management at Chester Zoo and became a recognised specialist in zoo and wildlife medicine in 2023.

A core part of Hannah’s veterinarian role is wildlife conservation, providing veterinary support for sick, injured and threatened native species. She also contributes to field projects, research and initiatives that help protect Aotearoa New Zealand’s wildlife.

Memorable career highlights at previous zoos include contributing to the reintroduction of three male gorillas to the Congo, performing surgery to remove a foreign body from a tiger, and training giraffes in healthcare behaviours such as conscious blood sampling.

“Being able to advocate for animals – whether caring for individuals, supporting populations or contributing to broader conservation efforts is what inspires me and continues to motivate me every day.”

Georgia Beasley

Georgia is a passionate marine wildlife advocate, dedicated to caring for sea turtles, albatross, and little penguins. She is our latest Veterinary Resident and is currently completing a three-year residency in Wildlife and Conservation Medicine alongside a doctorate through Murdoch University.

After graduating from Massey University in 2020, her pathway into zoo medicine took her from lifestyle block veterinary work in Auckland, to treating pets in the Cotswolds UK, as well as volunteering at a wildlife hospital. Georgia is completing doctorate research that focuses on the impacts of humans on marine wildlife, using wildlife hospital data to help assess ecosystem health in the Hauraki Gulf. With around 20% of the world’s seabird species visiting or living in the Gulf, her research aims to contribute meaningful, local conservation outcomes for native wildlife. 

One of her most memorable experiences was spending two weeks on Whenua Hou supporting the kākāpō breeding season, helping to care for chicks and monitor nests.

"As a veterinarian within a Zoo context, we’re working with animals as diverse as a 1.8-tonne Southern white rhino, to a 5-gram awakōpaka skink. Every day is exciting and you don’t know what problem solving will be required!” 

Mikaylie Wilson

Mikaylie Wilson began her zoo veterinary nursing career 22 years ago at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. With a wealth of experience under her belt, Mikaylie worked at multiple zoos, an aquarium and marine mammal rescue centres with seal pups and seal rehabilitation, before becoming our Clinical Coordinator nine years ago. Mikaylie loves the variety in her role, and being directly involved in the conservation of endangered species – especially her involvement in the kākāpō breeding season. Being on an amazing island, listening to adult males booming in the middle of the night, whilst walking across the island to perform a health check on a newly hatched kākāpō chick is a moment she describes as incredible, surreal and a career highlight.

“While we are fit and able, every small decision makes a difference to our future generations and wildlife. Say NO to as much plastic as you can! Every small step helps the environment, remember your children are watching and absorbing everything you do, so set the best example.”

Celine Campana

Celine Campana qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2000 and gained experience in small animal practice before discovering her true love – conservation work. After becoming involved with a Sea Turtle charity in Greece, Celine spent almost ten years working winters in the UK as a veterinary nurse, followed by summers working with endangered sea turtles on the beaches of Greece and Costa Rica. Conservation work became so important to Celine that she wanted to work in a major zoo, so spent six years in Paignton Zoo, and returned to New Zealand to begin at Auckland Zoo in 2017. Celine finds it rewarding to use her skills to contribute to conservation in New Zealand, and her memorable work moments include hand-raising Ohope, a starving little penguin chick that was brought into the Vet Hospital for treatment. Unable to be released, watching Ohope join the Zoo’s penguin colony was Celine’s favourite Zoo moment so far!

“You don’t have to be a veterinarian to make a positive impact, we can make the world a better place by changing our habits. Refuse plastic bags and straws, buy products with less packaging, don’t support unsustainable palm oil, and tell family and friends about the challenges faced by our natural world.”

Jess Erb

Jess grew up on a dairy goat farm in Taranaki, where her passion for animals began. Volunteering at her local zoo sparked a deep interest in species from around the world, shaping her career path. After completing the zookeeping course at Unitec in 2013, Jess pursued further studies to become a veterinary nurse. She gained invaluable experience at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in 2019 specialising in caring for native wildlife, before returning to New Plymouth to serve as head nurse at a mixed-practice clinic for 3 years. In 2024, Jess brought her seven years of veterinary nursing experience to Auckland Zoo, joining the team as a dedicated veterinary nurse. Sea turtles are Jess’ favourite animals, and her most memorable wildlife moment was assisting with removing a fishhook from a Hawksbill turtle’s oesophagus, which lead to its eventual release back into the ocean.

"Humans have an incredible ability to shape the world around us. By taking a moment to reflect, learn, and act, we can create a positive impact — protecting wildlife and promoting biodiversity for generations to come. Every small effort makes a big difference!"

Cathy Priscott 

Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Cathy Priscott qualified as a veterinary nurse over 20 years ago, in 2002. She has worked in various general practice and referral hospitals across Auckland, Melbourne, and London.

From age five she knew she wanted to work with animals and always dreamed of becoming a zookeeper. When Cathy was 26, during a six-month backpacking trip through South America, she had the opportunity to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia. There, she worked closely with capuchin monkeys and macaws, helping to rehabilitate them for release into the wild after they had been rescued from the illegal pet trade. This experience ignited her passion for wildlife and rehabilitation, and she was drawn to nursing due to the care aspect of the role. 

After gaining experience in specialist veterinary clinics for exotic animals, Cathy pursued her long-time career goal of working at Auckland Zoo. She started as a casual employee in 2022 and is now a permanent part-time staff member, balancing her time between the Zoo and her three beautiful children at home. Cathy loves that her role allows her to care for a wide variety of Zoo animals while also contributing to wildlife rehabilitation.

“I genuinely love all animals and tend to root for the underdogs — perhaps that's why I’ve always had a soft spot for rodents!”

Adriana Cornelissen

Adriana’s passion for wildlife conservation started at an early age, growing up around animals and the outdoors in a small town in Canterbury. After completing her studies, Adriana joined Auckland Zoo as a bird keeper in 2023, as well as working as an assistant vet nurse in a general practice clinic. Just recently, she became a Zoo vet nurse in training, learning how to care for a variety of different patients with our incredible veterinary team.

Adriana has a particular interest in birds, and one of her highlights has been working with wild albatrosses at the veterinary hospital. Being able to combine her zookeeping husbandry skills with caring for patients in a veterinary setting has been very rewarding.

“I think working collectively is the key to success. Every small thing, like picking up a piece of rubbish you see at the beach, makes a difference. Collectively if we educate those around us, we could better preserve our environment.”