We don't commonly get tūī at the hospital because unlike other parts of the country, they're not that prevalent in and around the Garden City. This individual came to us from Kaikōura after being found with a broken wing.
Bird bones typically heal in half the time of our own bones if broken. Fractures may be stabilised surgically or via a splint bandage during this time. This tui is showing off not just the bright yellow wing bandage but also their distinctive white parson's feathers (poi). If healing is adequate, birds then need flight strengthening before they can be considered for release bac#tui #tūīw#birdsofaotearoab#WildlifeHospitali#southislandwildlifehospitalildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Penguins love their mohawk stage as they transition from their fluff to their feathers. This kororā came to us through Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust and they have already made it back there following the end of the juvenile moult and ensuring they were waterproof. They're such dashing little m#moultingl#LittleBluePenguinn#kororāo#WildlifeHospitalp#southislandwildlifehospitalpital ... See MoreSee Less

Visitors to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve might have noticed some changes around the front of the hospital as they passed us by. Our new neighbouring triage suite, built by and provided to us by Willowbank is now operational as we continue to follow biosecurity protocols following the emergence of bird flu in Aotearoa.
For the nearly 12 years that the hospital has been functioning on this site, Willowbank have been a major supporter of our mahi through the provision of land, electricity and waste disposal. As a charity, we remain grateful for their immense support.
#charity #WildlifeHospital #wildlifeveterinarytrust #wildliferehabilitation #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Last month we received this juvenile kororā through Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust which was found underweight during a monitoring check. Sporting a spectacular downy mullet, we have watched it finalise its moult into feathers and are readying it for release. The little blue penguin colony in Kaikōura is very small and at high risk of disturbance. Adhering to no access signage and keeping dogs away can help minimise additional stress on a species that is already struggling with compromised foraging opportunities.
#kororā #LittleBluePenguin #nzbirds #wildliferehabilitation #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Can you spot this gull's problem? On the right side of the neck, you might notice a gap in the feathers. This tarāpunga has a crop burn: a hole (fistula) that opens up from the digestive tract through the skin. This occurs with thermal and caustic burns and eating hot food such as stolen chips is a likely problem in these scavenging birds. Once the fistula occurs, not only is infection a problem but any future meals fall out of the neck instead of reaching the stomach, leading to weight loss from malnutrition.
Following surgery to correct and close the fistula, this red-billed gull is currently recovering at the hospital. To help prevent this injury, please don't feed gulls and be mindful of dropping hot food on the ground when eating a#tarāpunga##RedBilledGullb#birdsofaotearoao#WildlifeHospitalf#southislandwildlifehospitalfehospital ... See MoreSee Less