One of our vets recently spotted an ill black-billed gull on their drive in to work at the hospital. The tarāpuka was lying, wings out, on the wet grass of a cold winter morning and would have succumbed had it not been spotted. Symptoms were suggestive of alphachloralose toxicity, a drug that has a sedative effect, leading to death from hypothermia. If caught in time, affected birds can be supported in a warm environment until the effect of the drug wears off.
It can be difficult to find out where birds come into contact with the poison as they can fly away from the source of ingestion before the effect kicks in.
Black-billed gulls are endangered and are a protected species in New Zealand. Misuse and inappropriate storage or disposal of alphachloralose can put native birds at risk. Thankfully, this tarāpuka made a full recovery and was able to be released just 2 days after being rescued.
#tarāpuka #blackbilledgull #birdsofaotearoa #wildlifehospital #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

We’re looking for a volunteer Treasurer to join the Board of Trustees and help guide the financial future of the South Island Wildlife Hospital.
This role would suit someone with accounting, finance or commercial experience who wants to use their skills to make a real difference for New Zealand wildlife.

Key responsibilities include:
• Providing financial oversight and reporting to the Board
• Monitoring budgets, cashflow and financial performance
• Supporting good financial governance and compliance
• Working alongside our volunteer accounts administrator and external accountant
• Helping improve financial systems and processes as the hospital grows

From time to time, the role will also involve helping with special projects, such as:
• developing treatment charge schedules
• improving invoicing processes for partner agencies, including DOC and councils
• helping make sure recoverable treatment costs are identified and billed promptly

Board meetings are held monthly in Christchurch, with some work completed remotely between meetings.
If you’re passionate about conservation and would like to contribute your financial expertise to a growing charity making a real impact for native wildlife, we’d love to hear from you. Email volunteering@wildlifehospital.co.nz to express an interest.
#charity #wildlifeveterinarytrust #wildlifehospital #southislandwildlifehospital #wildlifehealth ... See MoreSee Less

We've had several kōtare/sacred kingfisher brought to us recently after separate incidents involving cats. Almost all of our patients end up with us because of human interference on the environment, be it land-use changes, construction, climate change, overfishing, and predator introductions. And these pressures continue to rise.
Support from individuals, businesses, and institutions such as the National Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Team (part of National Zoo & Aquarium Canberra) allow us to keep doing our mahi. If you or your business can support our work, head to wildlifehospital.co.nz/help-us/
#charity #kōtare #sacredkingfisher #nzbirds #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Modern x-ray software allow our vets to manipulate images to focus on different tissues. Altering the contrast or viewing a negative image can help identify subtle problems, or highlight density changes.
Which native species do you think this might be? (Hint: they love their summer fruits!)
Can you spot the asymmetry between the left and right shoulders?
#xray #nzbirds #birdsofaotearoa #wildlifehospital #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

UPDATE: DUE TO INTEREST LEVEL, APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
🐦 Volunteer opportunity

We're currently looking for committed volunteers to join our Wildlife Hospital team.

This is a physical, hands-on role that would suit someone who is proactive, flexible, and has an interest in New Zealand's native wildlife. Preference will be given to applicants with prior bird handling experience and/or experience working in a clinical or veterinary setting.

Volunteers must be able to commit to one shift per week for a minimum of six months.

To express your interest, please email volunteering@wildlifehospital.co.nz by 5:00pm on 20 June. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an induction the following weekend.

Join us in making a difference for native wildlife—we'd love to hear from you! ... See MoreSee Less

Last month, we received a white-faced heron that had gotten entangled in fishing nylon. Human-related rubbish is one of many environmental pollutants that impact our wildlife. In this instance, the nylon had caused a cut and bruising to the leg of the matuku moana which was able to heal, allowing for a successful recovery and release a few weeks later.
Not all entanglements end so well - wildlife of all taxa are at risk of limb loss, gaping wounds, or life loss from getting caught up in rubbish of various materials. As frustrating as littering is, it is not always deliberate. Picking up litter, and especially fishing gear can be an important aid in prevention of injury.
#whitefacedheron #matukumoana #nzbirds #wildlifehospital #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

Could you help man our phone line? We are looking for a volunteer phone coordinator to share the load of answering 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 #wildlifehealth #wildlifehospital #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less

One of our vets is giving a talk this Sunday 7th about the work of the hospital. Free to attend, come along to the Mt Pleasant Community Centre for 10.30am.
#charity #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifehospital #wildlifehealth #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less