White flippered penguins are a local Canterbury variant of the little blue penguin or kororā. This individual is showing where the name comes from with the distinctive white leading edge to the flipper. White flippered penguins are a different shade of blue and their size is typically larger than the standard little blues found elsewhere. You might be lucky enough to spot these Canterbury kororā on Banks Peninsula, and they are even occasionally spotted along the Sumner coastline.
The hospital regularly receives underweight penguins that have been found in a compromised state of health, often juveniles or moulting adults. They are the most common penguin species that we treat. Thanks to coastal conservation and nest monitoring work by volunteers, community groups, @kaikourawildlifehospital and @pohatu_penguins , sick individuals can be identified and transported to us for treatment and rehabilitation, allowing us to play a role in maintaining local populations.
#penguin #littlebluepenguin #kororā #wildlifehospital #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Runway model in training. #penguin #Tawaki #wildlifehospital #birdsofaotearoa #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Our patients receive medications in a number of different ways: they may get it in liquid form via a tube into their crop, or as a tablet hidden in their food. They may get it by an injection under their skin, into their muscle or into a vein.
Similar to us with our arms, penguins have a vein in their flipper that allows us to administer fluids and antibiotics. As you can see, this one is very obliging with the vet while receiving their daily treatments.
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Last month we received a juvenile wandering albatross at the hospital. One of the larger albatross species, this individual was 4.2kg on arrival - close to the weight of an average cat, only much bigger in stature.
The toroa had crash landed in a recently-cut crop field, causing injuries to their feet. Ocean wandering birds usually only come to land to breed. Outwith that time, landfall usually means an ill bird. Blood tests showed kidney distress, a typical consequence of starvation and dehydration.
Unfortunately, this manu failed to respond to treatment and passed away a couple of days after arrival into care. For all the successful releases, there are also those that don't make it. Despite the sad outcome, it is always a privilege to be part of the story of such a special bird. We share this picture so that others can experience the up-close sight of a species that most will never get to see in the w#Albatrosst#wanderingalbatrosst#toroat#wildlifehospitalp#southislandwildlifehospitalpital ... See MoreSee Less

Our patients are as interested in observing us as we are in them. Hospital stays involve hands-on treatments and hands-off observations. Naturally, that can involve more human contact than these wild birds are used to. Minimising stress during care is important: chronic stress can lower the immune system and contribute to disease or decline. Watching where the humans are is a normal trait of wildlife as they analyse the real or possible threats around them.
#spottedshag #kawautikitiki #wildlifehospital #nzbirds #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

We're going to bEstuary Fest Christchurchhurch tomorrow in New Brighton - come say hi!
Some of our volunteers will be at stall S2, inside the community hall, tomorrow where you can come chat and ask questions about the hospital and its work. Some other great organisations will be joining us as well and there will be food stalls present too. This is a free event to attend at the domain on Beatty Street. Don't forget the s#estuaryfests#newbrightone#charityn#wildlifeveterinarytrusti#southislandwildlifehospitalfehospital ... See MoreSee Less

March 3rd may have been World Wildlife Day, but every day at the hospital is a wildlife day for the team. The hospital continues to be busy as we move from summer into autumn.
Once our penguin patients get past the critical stage, they can begin to have pool time, like this kororā/little blue penguin. Maintaining waterproofing is an important part of rehab as a loss of this can delay release. Being in the water is also good physio for them after having movements restricted while recovering from wounds, injuries, and illness.
#littlebluepenguin #kororā #WorldWildlifeDay #wildlifehospital #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Penguins are a common patient at the hospital. Although the most common penguin species we treat are kororā/little blue, we regularly get crested penguins, especially tawaki/fiordland crested. Tawaki are larger and stockier than kororā, but not as tall as hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins. Crested penguins of all types sport these incredible yellow wispy 'eyebrows' or crests making them look quit#Tawakir#fiordlandcrestedpenguint#wildlifehospitalf#nzbirdsl#southislandwildlifehospitalfehospital ... See MoreSee Less