UVC Wild

22/10/2026

Where in the world is Dr Alex? ✈️

Earlier this month Alex was lucky enough to travel to Bogor, Java Indonesia, supported as a Fellow of the Adelaide University's The Environment Institute.

Over a week she learnt about concepts of Transdisciplinarity; a research and problem-solving approach that interweaves traditional academic knowledge systems with non-academic stakeholders to address complex, real-world problems. She joined a diverse group of international participants from Wageningen University & Research, Landscape Alliance CIFOR & ICRAF and IPB University. The Fellowship provided an opportunity to share some of our experiences from UVC Wild's unique approach to wildlife research, whilst learning practical tools and approaches to strengthen our collaborations with universities and the wider community.

Before heading home, Alex also managed to squeeze in a visit to the IAR Indonesia Slow Loris Rehabilitation Centre. She had the opportunity to meet their veterinary team, learn more about their important work protecting and rehabilitating slow lorises, and share a little about the wildlife health and conservation work we do here in Tasmania. It was a great opportunity to connect with fellow wildlife professionals working on conservation challenges on the other side of the world. 🌏

Alex has returned to Tasmania with fresh ideas for building on UVC Wild’s approach, creating stronger partnerships and making sure our research continues to involve the people and communities who share their landscapes with wildlife 🐾

11/08/2026

🔬 Find us at Beaker Street Festival this weekend in Hobart

👩‍🔬 Dr Alex will be at the Roving Scientist Bar (Hope and Anchor) this Saturday (15th Aug) from 5pm-7pm. No booking required- just pop in to have a chat!

Then you might see her pop up to ask some wildlife-related questions at the 'Beaker Street Game Show'- tickets still available

https://www.beakerstreet.com.au/roving_scientists/alexandria-bullen/

15/07/2026

📢 New publication!
We're excited to share our latest paper in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases!

This study describes the detection of zoonotic bacteria with antimicrobial resistance in a wild Tasmanian platypus, highlighting the potential for pathogen and antimicrobial resistance spillover from agricultural systems into freshwater wildlife.

A special bonus for this issue—the cover photo of the journal was taken by our very own Jessie! 📸 Congratulations on having your incredible wildlife photography featured on the cover of one of the world's leading wildlife health journals.

We're incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this work and to the landholders and collaborators who continue to support our important wildlife health research in Tasmania.

IF IT LOOKS LIKE A DUCK ... IT MAY IN FACT BE A PLATYPUS 😳

In the latest issue of the Journal of Wildlife Disease, the platypus is just one of the intriguing species under the microscope.

The all-new July 2026 issue has Guadalupe fur seals, black-tailed prairie dogs, swamp rabbits, giant otters, California condors, Eastern wormsnakes, snow leopards and much, much more.

There's also a host of familiar names ... rabies, E.coli, toxo, CWD, Rickettsia, Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, and Streptococci as well as plenty of other kids on the infected block.

Coolest science and hottest topics ... the JWD is the place to be.

Check out the new issue now at https://bit.ly/4fa5rJL

02/06/2026

We are still looking for bandicoots south of Ulverstone for a genetics project
If you regularly see bandicoots in the area highlighted below, and have a property suitable for us to come trapping (>1ha), please reach out!
Or we are still looking for deceased bandicoots in the area, give us a tip off if you see one in the highlighted area

10/05/2026

21/04/2026

JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR A VETERINARIAN COMMITTED TO WILDLIFE HEALTH & CONSERVATION

Ulverstone Veterinary Clinic is seeking applications, from vets with a demonstrated commitment to both general practice and wildlife health/conservation, for the following full time position:

• General practice work approximately 0.75 FTE- and a 1 in 5 out of hours roster.
• Wildlife research work approximately 0.25 FTE.
Remuneration - commensurate with experience, as per the award or above.

The Ulverstone Veterinary Clinic is a well-established mixed vet practice, with up-to-date and well-equipped premises in Ulverstone and Penguin. Our clinic provides quality service primarily for small animals. We also serve the local rural district, providing care to dairy and beef cattle, horses, goats, sheep and wildlife; and six of our vets comprise our clinic’s wildlife research team (UVC Wild).

The wildlife research component of this position will focus on the health and conservation of native species (currently platypuses, eastern barred bandicoots, southern brown bandicoots, spotted-tailed quolls and eastern quolls) using a population health framework, under the guidance and supervision of practice principal Dr James Macgregor as well as our senior researcher Dr Alexandria Bullen, and in collaboration with Murdoch University Conservation Medicine Program and University of Adelaide School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences. The work will consist of live capture/examination/release fieldwork, laboratory investigation of samples, data collation and analysis. Fieldwork will involve field anaesthesia, clinical examination, venipuncture, tissue (DNA) sampling, faecal sampling and external parasite collection, as well as biopsies of skin lesions if indicated.

Located on the Leven River Estuary in northwest Tasmania, Ulverstone is a town that boasts liveability. Its location on the coast, close to state and national parks and the Tasmanian World Heritage area makes it an ideal base for anyone interested in wildlife. Residents enjoy the simplicity of regional living whilst maintaining close connectivity to the mainland thanks to the proximity of multiple airports and the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.

For further information, or to apply for this position, please email [email protected]

03/03/2026

WE NEED YOUR HELP...
As part of our ongoing research projects we are looking for help finding deceased bandicoots and quolls to examine and sample. This includes roadkilled animals.

* We are looking for deceased bandicoots (both species) from the Ulverstone urban and periurban area (including Gawler)
* We are also looking for deceased quolls (both species) from the North and North West of the state

If you come across anything suitable please let us know, or appropriately permitted individuals can drop the body into our clinic at 54 Alexandra Road, Ulverstone, or 92b Main Road, Penguin

11/02/2026

Today we’re celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science 🧬
At Ulverstone Veterinary Clinic Wild, science is at the heart of everything we do — from the veterinary clinic, to our population health research, to contributing to conservation across our Tasmanian landscapes.
Veterinary medicine, wildlife health and conservation science are fields powered by curiosity, evidence and compassion — and we are proud to work alongside (and be inspired by) so many brilliant women who are shaping the future of these disciplines.
From the girls who love animals and ask big questions about how ecosystems work, to the women leading research in conservation medicine, ecology and wildlife care — your work matters. Science needs your perspective, your persistence and your passion.
Here’s to fostering the next generation of scientists who will care for our wildlife, our communities and our environment.

22/11/2025

A perfect night at Perfection Berries!
Last month we were excited to welcome back a veterinary student group from The University of Adelaide for an action packed two weeks of wildlife work. We were privileged to be welcomed back to Perfection Berries to monitor their resident platypuses. We are pleased to report that three healthy platypus were checked over and released back to their dams, ready to get on with their spring business.

17/11/2025

Last December Dr Alex was honoured to present this short film telling our story at the Wildlife Disease Association 2024 International Conference in Canberra.

We are pleased to now share it with all of you!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.