It's World Wildlife Day today. There's an old-fashioned mindset that we humans are separate from nature. That nature is somewhere we go or something we look at. The reality is that we are a part of nature; that all animals (ourselves included) and our shared environments, are interconnected in a complex web.
Threats to our wildlife can threaten our food chain and put us all at risk of disease outbreaks. Our abuse of land and seas can compromise environments, making them unhealthy. Unhealthy environments are less efficient at buffering against the waste and pollutants we put in them. When biodiversity is compromised, all are affected. Conservation is not just about saving a species from extinction. It is about working towards healthier environments, sustainable populations, preserving food chains, and mitigating future disease o#conservationn#WorldWildlifeDayi#WorldWildlifeDay2025i#bird2#birdsofaotearoao#nzbirdsa#kererud#kererūr#nuts_about_wildlifet#wildlife #wildlifehealthl#wildlifehospitalf#wildliferehabd#wildliferehabilitationb#siwht#southislandwildlifehospitalfehospital ... See MoreSee Less

These two kororā chicks are being raised at the hospital after being removed from their nest under DOC approval. Adults should be moulting at this time of year, having already finished raising chicks. Normally, after chick rearing, little blues feed themselves up before becoming land-bound during their moult. As they are unable to feed themselves once moulting, any additional energy drain prior can affect their ability to survive the starvation period.
Reductions in inshore food availability have meant adults of many sea bird species are having to travel further to feed. This affects not just their own body weight but the growth of any chicks they are trying to raise. One of the parents was notably underweight, and one of the chicks was much smaller than the other, raising concerns that the survival of both parent and chick were at risk. By removing the chicks, there is a chance that the parent can get some weight rebound before it moults.
Both chicks have gained over 200 grams since arrival and are looking rather plump now.
#kororā #littlepenguin #littlebluepenguin #penguin #chicks #PenguinChicks #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehab #wildlifehospital #wildlifehealth #wildlife #nzbirds #birdsofaotearoa #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

How well do you know our native manu? Can you guess the patient from the close-up? #closeup #bird #birdsofaotearoa #nzbirds #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehab #wildlifehospital #wildlife #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

We've had a flurry of silvereyes at the hospital recently that have been attacked by cats. Tauhou are one of the main species to end up in our care from a cat attack, and being bitten by a cat is almost always the reason for a silvereye being admitted to the hospital. The sharp fang teeth of cats can cause deep injuries that can be easily hidden from view by their feathers. The force of a bite can also break bones, especially the more fragile wings and legs. The lucky ones receive pain medication and antibiotics to counter the oral bacteria transmitted in the cat's saliva. This one is still in our care currently, but the previous ones have left the hospital after completing t#silvereye##TauHouy#waxeyeo#birdx#birdsofaotearoao#nzbirdsa#wildlife #wildliferehabilitationb#wildliferehabd#wildlifehospitalf#wildlifehealthl#siwha#southislandwildlifehospitalfehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Some of the local Bunnings Warehouse New Zealand team popped by the hospital recently to donate some goods to us. Even their shopping basket proved quite useful as we used it to shower this little blue penguin. We have had 9 penguins in the hospital across this week, and it's a very busy time for us. Visit our website to see how you or your business can support our mahi: wildlifehospital.co#penguinn#littlepenguinn#littlebluepenguinn#showerh#wildlifed#wildliferehabilitationa#wildliferehabr#wildlifehospitalp#wildlifehealthe#nzbirdsb#birdsofaotearoae#siwh##southislandwildlifehospitalpital ... See MoreSee Less

Did you know that we offer conservation education to Christchurch tamariki? Engaging with children about conservation and the natural world around them is not only important for their own knowledge development and curiosity, but it is also important for instilling the next generation with a passion for the world that we need them to advocate for.
Alison has a background in childhood education and is available to visit local childhood education centres, school classrooms, community libraries, or other education facilities. She has experience engaging with kids of all ages, and will help show them how to be a kaitiaki for our manu. Through images, puppetry, and words, children can learn about the work of our hospital and the threats that face our birds.
To arrange a free visit from Alison, email education@wildlifehospital.co.nz
#Education #conservation #wildlife #wildlifehealth #wildliferehab #wildliferehabilitation #children #Tamariki #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

We're still receiving juvenile birds at the hospital, 6 months on from our first one arriving at the end of winter. They don't always need medication, but their need for regular feeds, often of prepared small morsels, can be quite time-consuming. This kōtare was 1 of 4 to have lost their nest. Sacred kingfishers have stunning colouration as an adult. This one has a hint of the brilliant blue hidden beneath t#birdn#sacredkingfisherk#kingfisherk#Kōtaree#nzbirdse#birdsofaotearoao#wildlife #wildlifehealthl#wildliferehabd#wildliferehabilitationb#siwht#southislandwildlifehospitalfehospital ... See MoreSee Less

The last time we saw one of these at the hospital was winter 2023, and now, in the last month, two showed up in city parks within days of each other. Broad-billed prions are the largest of the prion species and belong to the same family of birds as petrels and shearwaters. With an adult bird weighing just over 200 grams, these small birds are ocean wanderers, skimming the surface of the ocean to filter out food. They breed on a few island groups in the south Atlantic and Pacific, including the Chatham Islands.
Like albatross and petrels, prions usually end up on the mainland due to starvation and being blown off course. Without wind, height, or a run-up, it can be difficult for these birds to take off again. If they are underweight, they are often too weak also, and are at risk of dehydration, kidney failure, and death.
Sadly, one of the two pararā didn't survive the journey to the hospital, but the other has gradually been regaining weight and is just starting to swim ag#Prionp#broadbilledprionp#TubeNosee#pelagicl#bird##nzbirdsb#birdsofaotearoae#seabirda#oceanwandererd#pararāa#wildlifed#wildliferehabilitationa#wildliferehabr#wildlifehospitalp#wildlifehealthe#siwh##southislandwildlifehospitalpital ... See MoreSee Less