Caring for wildlife

This is a delicate time of year for a lot of wildlife across the city and in the sanctuary. Many manu/birds are sitting on nests or looking after their fledglings. The way you behave around them can make a big difference to their family’s wellbeing.

Remember the best way to act by asking yourself ‘the three Cs’:

Am I cornering wildlife?
Avoid circling wildlife or becoming a barrier to where they want to go. 

Am I chasing wildlife?
Don’t chase wildlife to get a better look. The most incredible observations you get will be when you give animals space and allow them to come to you should they choose. The best technique is to stop five metres away and observe from there. 

Am I giving wildlife enough clearance?
Five metres is the golden distance. If you notice a nest, lucky you! Observe at least five metres away. Nests are especially vulnerable—if you frighten the adult, they may abandon it, and if you frighten chicks, they can fledge early and die.

What about if you come across an animal that looks injured or sick?

If you are in Zealandia and find injured or sick wildlife, please let a staff member know and don’t touch the wildlife. Our operations staff are trained to assess wildlife, have background knowledge of individual animals or species, and can determine the best course of action.

Sometimes, birds that may appear injured are actually fine: for example, an awkward fledgling or a bird puffed up while soaking up some rays of sun. Catching or trying to move them can cause the bird a lot of undue stress or lead to actual injury. In addition, removing them from their territory or home may cause them to lose their territory, or separate a fledgeline from their parents who are continuing to care for them.

Some animals will fake being injured as well—this is called paratrepsis, otherwise known as diversionary or distraction display. For example, pūtangitangi/paradise shelducks will feign having a broken wing to distract a predator and encourage them away from their mate, chicks, or nest. Some birds will even pretend to have other injuries, such as a limp.

If you are outside of the sanctuary, and find injured or dead native wildlife, please call the DOC hotline at 0800 362 468. If they are not native, please call the SPCA at 0800 INSPECTOR.

Please do not bring any injured wildlife to us from outside Zealandia as we don’t have the facilities or specialist skills to care for them. We would appreciate you sharing this message with your friends and whānau too, so they also know who to call in this situation.

Photo by Scott Langdale