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

💛🦉

Photos: DR NATTIYA KRAJANGPIT

Original post – 16 May 2019
by South Island Wildlife Hospital

located in Christchurch, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

We have had a Little German owl in care for a broken wing. Our clever vet pinned it 3 weeks ago. Last night the pins were removed. Today the owl is looking a lot better and is beginning to hold the wing on its own. Some physio will get the wing moving well.

These photos were taken after waking up from anaesthetic. Looking a little spaced out, but ate well.

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SIWH posted news on the Little Owl 2-3 weeks after this, saying:

its wing is responding to physio – is in an aviary, and flapping well

followed by a final update:

A long road – surgery, convalescence, and then twice weekly physiotherapy (which involved an anaesthetic). Finally on Wednesday he was released successfully, and flew strongly. Many thanks to Dr P and Dr N for their combined skills.

Link to donate to South Island Wildlife Hospital for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 12 Aug 2020
by South Island Wildlife Hospital

located in Christchurch, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

This little Ruru arrived 168 days ago with a broken leg. After a rebreak after pin removal his leg had to heal with a cast and then he needed to regrow his tail feathers. Now all ready to go he has been picked up by DOC for his trip back to Hokitika and home.
He is not a tame owl and was very indignant at being weighed for the last time. Good hunting. Thank you DOC for sending him over and taking him home.

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Link to donate to South Island Wildlife Hospital 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 – 26 Mar 2024
by Wildbase Recovery

located in Palmerston North, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Interview from the AM show with the rehabbers showing off their ruru wrangling skills.

Text from video:

This is a ruru / a morepork. This one was found on the side of the road with a fractured wing. He’s had surgery and he’s had pins put in his wing. Cailin and Chelsea – the techs here – are just giving him his morning fluids to make sure he stays really well hydrated.

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Link to donate to Wildbase Recovery for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 25 Mar 2022
by South Island Wildlife Hospital

located in Christchurch, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

This rather handsome Ruru (also known as a Morepork) was received on the West Coast of New Zealand, and transferred to South Island Wildlife Hospital for treatment.

For those willing and able please consider helping fund South Island Wildlife Hospital at the following DONATION LINK. Your generosity ensures the best possible care for their animal guests.

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.

Original post – 01 Feb 2022
by Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

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

“A Little Owl nestling was rescued from a water trough on a farm south of Kaikoura last week, after falling from its nest site in an oak tree during southerly winds.

“This young owl is still developing its wing feathers and is very thin. He was wet and in poor condition upon being found. Minor bleeding on the cere of the beak was sustained, as well as mild trauma to the right eye, due to impact from crash landing.

“The owlet has since been stabilised and transferred to the South Island Wildlife Hospital. This youngster will be rehabilitated until he has regained condition and is self-sufficient, before being returned to the wild.”

Photos: SABRINA LUECHT

Update:

“The young Little Owl that was rescued and transferred into care at the South Island Wildlife Hospital, is improving in energy levels after receiving regular fluids and small meals. Pictured is the owlet during weigh in. We look forward to seeing this owl back in the wild once rehabilitation has been completed. Thank you to the wonderful team at @siwildlifehospital”

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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.