Wildbase

05/10/2026

Its Vet Nurse Appreciation week, and we really do appreciate our hard working, dedicated and slightly loopy vet nursing staff. One of their important jobs is always to advocate for the welfare of the patients in our care, and they do this with passion. Thank you VNs and VCAs.

21/09/2026

Ingrid did a great interview talking about the skink surgery on RNZ

Surgery is a delicate, precision operation at the best of times, but imagine if your patient weighs less than four grams. Massey University vets were faced with exactly that prospect when they patched up a native skink. The tiny creature had been attacked by a cat in Whanganui and had a serious punc...

19/09/2026

It's been a big week for this little skink - but it’s proving to be a real survivor! 🦎

Last weekend, this native northern grass skink (Oligosoma polychroma) was brought to Wildbase Hospital from Whanganui after being attacked by a cat.

The skink arrived with a puncture wound to its side, with underlying tissue exposed. The injury required surgical repair - no easy feat when your patient weighs just 3.9 grams!

It is currently receiving a course of antibiotics and pain relief while it recovers from its injuries. We are very optimistic about its chances of making a full recovery. 💚

17/09/2026

Such an important reminder to dispose of discarded fishing line, hooks, and tackle responsibly. 💙

DoC urged anglers to remove discarded line and avoid casting near whio.

04/09/2026

Blink and you might miss it!

It’s lucky this release was filmed in slow motion, because this Tūī wasted no time rocketing back into the wild - before the box was even completely open! 🚀

Wildbase Hospital has received a flurry of Tūī over the past few days, with three arriving over last weekend alone. All were found grounded, with most requiring treatment for minor trauma-related injuries.

🌺 We suspect some of these Tūī may have been affected by rhododendron poisoning. Some rhododendron varieties contain grayanotoxins, which can cause toxicity when ingested. Affected birds may become weak, lethargic and uncoordinated, leaving them vulnerable to further injury or predation.

Thankfully, this patient avoided any serious injuries. After a quick turnaround and just a few days in care, it made a full recovery and was ready to return to the wild. 💚

26/08/2026

🌱 Spring is just around the corner!

Although it’s still early in the season, Wildbase Hospital has already received enquiries about young birds needing help - most commonly precocial chicks such as ducklings.

Please remember that not every young bird needs rescuing. The best place for them to be is with their parents, who are usually nearby. Unnecessary “birdnapping” can often be avoided by taking a moment to observe whether the chick is in immediate danger or appears injured or unwell.

In many cases, the best thing we can do is simply leave them where they are and allow their parents to continue caring for them.

If you’ve seen a baby bird and aren’t sure whether it needs help, please contact Wildbase Hospital on 0800 738 363. Our team can help you determine whether intervention is necessary.

23/08/2026

One lucky ruru!🦉

This ruru was admitted to Wildbase Hospital from Hunterville after a window collision. Thankfully, no major injuries were found. After just 10 days of treatment, this patient is already ready to begin building flight fitness as it continues its rehabilitation.

We’re hopeful it won’t be long before this beautiful manu is ready to return to the wild. 💚

20/08/2026

This is quite special. 💚

Our hospital team recently received these beautiful children’s books, written by a kind community member who rescued an injured kererū and brought it to Wildbase Hospital for treatment.

One is written from the perspective of the rescuer, and the other from the kererū. Both are beautifully illustrated and tell the story of rescue and rehabilitation.

Ngā mihi nui for this thoughtful gift. 💚

17/08/2026

It’s a big day for our Pekapeka patient! 🦇

This resilient little long-tailed bat has completed treatment following a cat attack and will be released by Department of Conservation staff this evening - a fantastic outcome for a species that faces significant threats in the wild.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who supported the treatment and rehabilitation of this patient. Here are a few snapshots from its time in our care. 💚

🩺 If you would like to support the work of Wildbase Hospital, you can donate through the Massey University Foundation website. Simply click ‘Donate Now’ and select ‘Wildbase’ from the drop-down menu:
Donate to Wildbase through the Massey University Foundation

Alternatively, donations can be made by direct credit using the following details:
Bank account: 02-0500-0659127-000
Reference: Wildbase

Please note that online donations will automatically receive a receipt by email. If you donate by direct bank transfer and require a receipt, please contact the Massey University Foundation directly at [email protected] or on 06 951 9394.