Original post – 21 Feb 2025
by Project Wellbird / Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

located in Kaikōura, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

There have been a number of little owls admitted into care via Project WellBird, as well as VetCare Kaikoura recently 🦉
Mostly those rescued are owlets (nest fall), cat predation and vehicle strike victims. Due to the nature of injuries, they require specialist treatment and long-term rehabilitation. Not all have a chance of recovery, but many do.
An adult owl handed over last week had suffered from head trauma and a humerus wing fracture due to vehicle strike. The owl remains in care, however prognosis is guarded.
Another recent patient had suffered from vehicle strike, resulting in spinal injury rendering the owl immobile on the side of the road in a residential area, and was subsequently mouthed by a cat.
Please look out for birds of prey on roads and rescue unwell raptors immediately.

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Link to donate to Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 17 Jan 2023
by Project Wellbird – Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

located in Kaikōura, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Another little owl/ruru nohinohi has arrived in care 🦉
Many thanks to Liz for rescuing the young owlet from a Hapuku roadside at 6am whilst going for a run. The owlet was dazed, unable to fly and dragging a leg.

The fledgling is suffering from vehicle strike impact and apparent head trauma. Clinical signs include neurological symptoms – weakness, lethargy, head tilt, lacking coordination, lacking balance, and immobility.

Little owls are prone to vehicle strike, as they often sit on the warm tarseal of roads at dawn and dusk. They may also forage for moths near street lights. Owls can be slow to take off, please slow upon approach, and ensure to rescue any vehicle strike victims.
The owlet is currently being medicated and will likely be transferred once stabilised for further assessment, including x-rays.

Wings crossed 💚

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Link to donate to Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 16 Jan 2023
by Project Wellbird – Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

located in Kaikōura, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Many thanks to Tanja for rescuing a young little owl which was captured by a cat.

While the fledgling sustained no bite wounds or fractures, any wildlife patient mouthed by a cat requires assessment and antibiotics, as fine puncture wounds and cat saliva can result in infection and subsequent death.

To reduce predation impacts by pet cats on wildlife please consider containing cats indoors, particularly from dawn to dusk, when birds are most at risk whilst roosting. Containment is the only realistic solution to ensure protection of wildlife.

Alternatively you can trim cat claws monthly (as these shed regularly) with a pet nail trimmer, to decrease tree climbing ability. Dull claws also give captured wildlife a chance to escape and minimise the likelihood of puncture wounds (unless mouthed). Numerous bells and neon collars provide wildlife a chance to escape when being preyed upon, by emitting noise and increasing visibility 🐈

Any birds or reptiles caught by cats will generally be in shock and/or suffer from injury, requiring immediate rescue 💚

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You can help fund Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust at the following DONATION LINK

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 21 Dec 2016
by Project Wellbird – Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

located in Kaikōura, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

“A morepork with a broken wing arrived yesterday and is being assessed by West Coast Vets today. It was found on Hokitika’s Lake Kaniere Road and likely collided with a vehicle’s windscreen. The break is in the metacarpus, however it is otherwise in good spirits and feeding readily”

Photos: SABRINA LUECHT

For those willing and able please consider helping fund Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust at the following 🔗 DONATION LINK 🔗. Your generosity ensures the best possible care for their animal guests.