An inquiry learning resource for students and teachers.
ABOUT, IN and FOR the Environment.
Our Patient Journey
Our Patient Journey
Vets use innovative science and technologies to care for their patients. Every individual counts for many of our native species.Patients come to the hospital in many different ways. Some are brought in by the public, some are sent to the hospital from another vet clinic or a wildlife sanctuary, and the Department of Conservation send endangered animals to Wildbase Hospital.
Meet some of the animals we treat and the problems they face.
Diagnosis
Animals can’t talk, so they can’t tell us what is wrong. We need to work out what is wrong and then decide how to fix it.
When injured or ill animals come to Wildbase Hospital we must stabilize them straight away. We give them fluids, pain relief and a warm place to rest.
Then we start the process of diagnosis!
- Our tawaki story – time for an xray This tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin) was found injured on a South Westland Beach and sent to Wildbase Hospital.See the video
- Bird Anatomy Activity Build your own digital bird!Learn More
Treatment
After diagnosis a treatment plan can be formed. There are many different treatments used to care for a patient, from medications to surgery. Every animal is different and has different needs.
Check out some of the treatments an animal may need.
- Our tawaki story – Serious surgery Once vets knew what they were dealing with it was time for surgery to fix the fractured leg.See the video
- Breakfast time for a kiwi chick This kiwi was found on a Taranaki road when it was less than a week old, it needed some special care and attention. Once it was well it was released in a kiwi sanctuary.See the video
- Fluids and a feed for a Korora (little blue penguin) This small penguin was attacked by a dog on Foxton Beach, it needed antibiotics and time to heal. It was successfully released back to the wild.See the video
- Caring for an injured kereru Kereru can suffer severe injuries when they hit windows, this bird badly injured its wing. This kererū recovered and was released into a local bush area.See the video
- Treatment time for a ruru Attacked by a cat, this ruru came to Wildbase Hospital from a vet in Masterton. Once it recovered it was taken back to the Wairarapa and released into the wild.See the video
Rehabilitation
Patients need time to recover and regain fitness after an injury or illness. Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery is specially designed to allow birds to rehabilitate safely.
- Our tawaki story – Healing and Rehabilitation After surgery it took four months of healing and rebuilding fitness before the penguin could be returned to the wild.See the video
- Back to the wild These special birds were all treated at Wildbase Hospital - watch their release back to the wild.See the video