Like other gull species, tarāpunga get a bit of a bad rep. But chip-stealing tendencies aside, these manu are quite charismatic and are a loved patient by several of our volunteers. This red-billed gull suffered a broken wing after being hit by a car. After orthopaedic surgery to stabilise the fracture, the broken ulna bone has healed well. Now, it's a matter of regrowing the lost feathers and building up flight strength again in an outside aviary before being able to be relea#Gull##tarāpungap#redbilledgulld#bird##nzbirdsb#birdsofaotearoae#wildliferehabr#wildlifehealthe#wildliferehabilitationa#wildlifehospitalp#wildlifed#siwh##southislandwildlifehospitalpital ... See MoreSee Less

Baby bird season has started at the hospital. We receive baby birds for a few reasons, including being orphaned, as was the case with these two pukeko chicks. Sometimes, though, chicks are uplifted by well-meaning rescuers when they are fine to be left where they are.
Baby birds are either altricial (born naked with eyes closed) or precocial (covered in down or fine feathers, with eyes open and mobile). Altricial babies should be in a nest until fully feathered and are intermittently tended to after fledging. Precocial babies can self feed and follow their parents around, relying on them for protection and assistance with feeding.
If you find a baby bird that is clearly injured, weak, or obviously orphaned, call your local wildlife centre for information on where to get veterinary treatment and how best to transport them there.
Otherwise, check their surroundings first before touching them. If they are a non-feathered altricial baby, look up for a nest and put them back in it if it is safe to do so. You can make a makeshift nest if the original nest has been damaged. If it is a fledgling and is not in danger, chances are a parent is tending to it. If there is some danger such as a road or nearby dogs, move it away from the danger but within the immediate area. Then, keep some distance and observe for a while to watch for parents. For precocial chicks, observe from a distance to see if other birds of that species are nearby. Listen for their calls. Occasionally, chicks get separated and will call out to reunite. If there are no signs of parents returning to chicks after a period of observation, call your local wildlife centre for advice before removing them from the area.
#chicks #pukeko #nzbirds #birdsofaotearoa #spring #wildliferehab #wildlifehealth #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifehospital #wildlife #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

There's still time to vote kororā for Forest & Bird Bird of the Year 2025. Little blue penguins may be diminutive in size, but they're full of character and can be quite fiesty patients at the hospital. Sadly, the species, like many in Aotearoa New Zealand, is suffering through human impacts on their environment and food supply.
We regularly receive kororā, predominantly from Canterbury, and thanks to the monitoring work by Pōhatu Penguins/plunge on Banks Peninsula, and through transfer from Project WellBird - Kaikōura Wildlife Hospital . You can help these declining penguins by keeping dogs on leash and away from breeding habitats; by voting for policies and supporting causes that actively combat climate change, habitat destruction and overfishing; and donating to rescue centres around the country that treat and rehabilitate the many injured and starving seabirds that need help each year. Don't forget to head to www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/ to vote little blue penguin!
#kororā #littlebluepenguin #littlepenguin #penguin #penguinsofinstagram #boty #birdoftheyear #wildliferehab #wildlifehealth #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifehospital #wildlife #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Thanks to Bunnings Warehouse New Zealand (who supplied paint and equipment), we were able to give some TLC to our outdoor aviary spaces. Our aviaries are heavily used and take a beating from the regular and stringent cleaning regime required to maintain hygiene between patients.
Thanks to Reto, Amber, Rachel, Deb, and Anne, who all gave up their Saturday to paint.
#charity #wildliferehab #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifehospital #wildlifeveterinarytrust #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

We don't often receive tūī at the hospital as they're not that prevalent around Christchurch city. There are some pockets of the surrounding countryside, however, where their numbers are beginning to increase thanks to so-called 'tūī corridors'. When we do get them, it's a great opportunity to see their stunning colours up close.
This one was brought to us last month from Banks Peninsula after being spotted unable to fly. Thankfully, the bird's injuries were treatable, and after 12 days in the hospital, they recovered enoug#tui #tūīe#nzbirdso#birdsofaotearoa##wildliferehabb#wildlifehealth##wildliferehabilitationh#wildlifehospitalh#wildlifeo#siwhl#southislandwildlifehospitalh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

We are on the lookout for another volunteer phone coordinator to share the load of manning the hospital phone. This is a remote (off-site) position. Our phoneline is the first port of call for people reporting found injured wildlife. Full job description in comments. Email volunteering@wildlifehospital.co.nz to express an interest.
#volunteering #charity #wildliferehab #wildlifehealth #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifehospital #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

The look of every ruru that comes into the hospital. Morepork have this gaze as if staring straight into your soul. #morepork #Ruru #wildliferehab #wildlifehealth #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifehospital #wildlife #bird #nzbirds #birdsofaotearoa #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

We've had a team pull out of tonight's quiz so 1 table has become available. If you can round-up some mates for 6.30pm tonight at the Fox&Ferret (Palms), head to the link to nab the last spaces.
www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/south-island-wildlife-hospital-fundraising-quiz-night-tickets ... See MoreSee Less

We are thrilled to have been awarded 2nd place at the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board awards on Wednesday. There are so many incredible and deserving conservation organisations in the country, so to be a finalist, never mind an award winner, is testament to all the hard work that takes place behind the scenes to keep the hospital functional during what is a financially difficult time for charities.
Our volunteer coordinator, Tyne (left), and head vet and trustee, Pauline (right) accepted the award on behalf of the charity, the trustees, the vets, and the volunteers, all of whom dedicate many hours to what can be tiring and dirty work.
#charity #fundraising #award #wildlifeveterinarytrust #wildliferehab #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifehospital #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less