Report Seabirds

Wildlife Care

Wildlife rehabilitation is the rescue, first aid and supportive care of injured or ill native species.

Wildlife patients in the Kaikōura region consist of primarily seabirds, as well as terrestrial bird species.

 

Wildlife Patients

Wildlife rehabilitation involves veterinary treatment, nursing and nutritional support. Unfortunately the majority of patients/tūroro are ill or injured due to human related causes. This includes seabird starvation as a result of climate change, over-fishing induced prey depletion, fisheries by-catch, marine entanglements, plastic ingestion, boat strike, vehicle strike, window strike, light pollution induced seabird crash landings, introduced predators, irresponsible pet ownership, wildlife crimes, illness and toxicity.

Given the high incidence of patient cases in Kaikōura, it is anticipated that the wildlife hospital will admit >1,500 native birds per year in need of specialist care, based on hundreds of patients annually over the past seven years (whilst our Trust Founder was operating on a significantly reduced voluntary scale). Patient numbers are set to increase as environmental threats and the biodiversity crisis worsen. While some threats are well known, others are just emerging.

The significance of species declines, as well as avoidable injury and mortality from human related causes is considerable, with the Kaikōura Wildlife Hospital set to have a significant impact. The centre will enable a regional transformational shift, benefitting our at-risk species and future generations.

Unwell Wildlife

  • If you encounter ill or injured seabirds, please report to the Department of Conservation via the DOC Hotline on 0800 362 468. Alternatively contact the Renwick DOC Office by phoning 03 572 9100, to request transfer to a local Kaikōura DOC ranger.

    Unwell seabirds such as penguins or shearwaters will receive DOC handover to Project WellBird’s voluntary wildlife rehabilitator.

    Unwell native birds can be handed in to VetCare Kaikoura at 75 Athelney Road, for assessment or euthanasia. Opening hours are Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat 9am-12pm. These may be transferred to the South Island Wildlife Hospital for long-term rehabilitation.

  • If you find crash landed Hutton’s shearwater adults during the breeding season from August-February, please rescue and release healthy lively shearwaters into the sea (off wharves, boat ramps or slipways), to let these swim or dive off. Drop off at Albatross Encounter is an alternative option for release at sea.

    The Hutton’s Hub next to the DOC Office on 115 Ludstone Road is open for drop-offs from March-April, for daily checks to assess and release fledglings.

    Please take injured shearwaters to VetCare Kaikoura for assessment or euthanasia.

    Project WellBird will stabilise and treat unwell shearwaters where possible.

  • Wildlife rehabilitators are not authorised to assist marine mammals.

    Please report unwell fur seals to the DOC Hotline on 0800 362 468. The Department of Conservation will respond if a seal is 1) in poor body condition, 2) severely injured, 3) immediate danger, 4) tangled in marine debris, 5) trapped on a highway, or 6) being harassed.

    Currently many emaciated seals are being reported due to starvation from decreased ocean productivity. DOC rangers may euthanise where appropriate.

Rescue, rehabilitate, release. Together we can give native species the best chance of survival, by treating unwell wildlife to preserve populations.