Dr Mac's - Who is Dr Mac? 

The Director of Démac Wildlife Nutrition and Chief Nutritionist for Dr Mac’s Organic Origins is Debra McDonald.  Debra has had an extensive career in the zoo industry first as a Safari Guide for Victoria’s Open Range Zoo in Werribee, Victoria and then as Conservation Biologist with Australia’s native zoo at Healesville Sanctuary.  With responsibility for a number of conservation and research programs, Debra worked with species such as the Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix), Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster), Black-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis), Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeaterii), Long-footed Potoroo (Potorous longipes), Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) and the Mountain Pygmy Possum (Burramys parvus). 

Debra awarded a Churchill Fellowship to visit the USA and Canada in 1999, to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a zoo nutrition facility in Australia.  This lead to the posting of Assistant Nutritionist at the Zoo Nutrition Center at the Bronx Zoo in New York, where Debra had oversight of the consultancy service offered to zoos in  North America.

Returning to Australia in 2001, Debra established Démac Wildlife Nutrition, providing an international zoo nutrition consultancy service.  Immediately contracted by HBD International to oversee quality control and product development for Harrison’s Bird Diets, Debra developed a close working relationship with Dr Greg Harrison and a keen interest in avian nutrition.  In 2005, the Dr Mac’s Organic Origins label was launched, providing a range of scientifically formulated bird diets that are certified organic and free from GM ingredients. 

Debra has a passionate interest in herbal medicine and alternative therapies, further expanding her knowledge by undertaking a Masters of Health (Herbal Medicine) to complement her Ph.D. in wildlife nutrition and a first class Honours degree in fatty acid profiles of micro algae.  Debra also serves as a Board Member of the Veterinarian Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria.