The Dunedin Wildlife Hospital is a lifeline for some of New Zealand’s rarest and most remarkable creatures, none more so than the quirky and critically endangered kākāpō.
In fact, these nocturnal parrots were part of the inspiration behind the hospital’s creation. Hospital Director Dr. Lisa Argilla has spent years caring for kākāpō chicks, working on protected breeding islands and hand-rearing these precious birds. In 2022, the hospital reached a major milestone: successfully raising the grand chick of one of Dr. Argilla’s original charges, proof of just how far their work has come
Kākāpō chicks start life as tiny, fragile creatures, weighing just 27 grams, which makes every moment of care critical. Over the past five years, the hospital has treated 85 kākāpō, about 35% of the total population. Before the hospital existed, sick or injured kākāpō had to endure a stressful journey to the North Island, making survival even harder. Now, with expert care available closer to home, their chances of recovery have greatly improved.
While all kākāpō now live in predator-free areas, they still face serious health risks. Diseases like cloacitis and aspergillosis, a fungal infection affecting their breathing, can be life-threatening. The hospital works closely with partners like AgResearch to diagnose and treat these conditions, using advanced tools like CT scanning to detect problems early and improve survival rates.
Caring for kākāpō is a careful balance between helping when needed and ensuring they can return to the wild as soon as possible. When treating aspergillosis, for example, the team can admit, scan, and clear, healthy chicks within days, giving them the best chance to grow up strong.
For the youngest kākāpō, human care is essential. Hand-rearing these chicks is an intense, round-the-clock effort, with dedicated staff feeding the smallest ones every two hours. To minimise risk, they are kept in a separate ward with specialised equipment to give them the best possible start in life.
But the hospital does more than treat patients. It also helps educate both the public and veterinary professionals about the challenges facing New Zealand’s native wildlife. The team believes that raising awareness and inspiring action are just as important as hands-on care.
Despite being a small team, their impact is huge. More than 80% of their patients return to the wild, but as a registered charity, keeping up this vital work is an ongoing challenge.
Dodoland is proud to support the hospital through its new Kākāpō EUGY, with a portion of proceeds helping to protect these rare birds.
This initiative is part of the EUGY Giving Back program, which connects conservation groups with dedicated models to raise awareness and fund vital work.
Want to learn more about our Giving Back partners? Click here.
Very cool article, I liked it, thank you