Rehabilitation of sick, injured and under weight hoiho

A penguin is fed while in rehabilitation at Penguin Place

Rehabilitation is increasingly being used as a conservation management tool for endangered species like the yellow-eyed penguin. Hoiho that are injured, underweight or diseased are often brought into rehabilitation facilities to be treated and nursed back to health.

Sometimes birds require veterinary care prior to rehab for lacerations and wounds, and to reduce complications from infections of the tendons, joints and bones. Vetlife in Oamaru, St Kilda Vet Centre in Dunedin and the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital Trust provide this specialist support.

The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust works closely with penguin rehabilitation centres in the South Island. There are three facilities for hoiho in Otago (Penguin Place, Penguin Rescue and Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony) and one in Canterbury (Christchurch Penguin Rehab). In 2022, the Trust established a rehab facility on Stewart Island. Currently, no such facility exists in the Catlins.

Rehabilitation efforts are said to be successful if a penguin goes on to survive and breed.

NEWS & EVENTS

The latest from the YEP Trust


MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Support the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust

 

Donate Now

BECOME A SUPPORTER

Enter your details below to sign up