INJURED WILDLIFE
Play your part
Currently if you spot any sick or injured animals in the wild your options are to either call the DoC helpline on 0800 362 468 or the Wellington SPCA on (04) 389 8044 to find out ways that you can help.
In the future, however, you will also be able to add The Nest – Te Kōhanga to this list of contacts.
There is a whole section of The Nest – Te Kōhanga devoted to looking after native wildlife. That’s where you come in.
If you are out and about around Wellington or the surrounding area and you find a native animal in need of medical assistance please don’t walk on by – together we will be able to help. Here’s how it will work:
- Firstly make sure that the injured or sick animal is a native species by either calling the Department of Conservation (DoC) helpline on 0800 362 468 or by checking information on these pages:
http://www.whatbird.co.nz/index.php
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/
- Once you are sure of its New Zealand origin, you can bring the injured animal to the front entrance of the Zoo where you will be met by one of our volunteers.
- We will then take the animal up to The Nest – Te Kōhanga to meet the vets for a triage to determine whether we can treat it or not.
We are all very excited about this opportunity to involve our community in the process of animal care at The Nest – Te Kōhanga.
Stay clear of the seals
Fur seals are usually very able to look after themselves. Even small and sick looking pups are probably fine and just waiting for their mother to return from the sea.
Therefore we advise you never to approach fur seals and to not try to catch them. This is not only highly unsafe, it is also illegal (Marine Mammal Protection Act). If you are still concerned, or you spot any seal caught in debris, please contact the DoC hotline (0800 362 468) and/or get further information from the DoC webpage.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/nz-fur-seal/you-can-help/