Wildbase Hospital
Wildbase is a national wildlife hospital, based within the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Massey University in Palmerston North. Wildbase Hospital is dedicated to caring for sick and injured native wildlife, providing medical and surgical care before returning the animals back to the wild.
Saving endangered wildlife
We treat some of the world’s rarest and most vulnerable wildlife on the planet. Our patients are made up of native birds and reptiles, with around 400 individuals seen every year. Of these numbers, 50% of the patients seen are threatened or endangered species. In 2019 Wildbase hospital was able to support the Kakapo program by providing auxiliary diagnostic support. 15 kakapo were seen, a whopping 7% of the total population. We are contributing significantly to the conservation of New Zealand’s rarest species which include the shore plover, kakapo, takahe, Rowi kiwi, Haast Tokoeka (kiwi) and orange fronted parakeet.
Our expertise
The hospital is staffed by specialist academic veterinarians and a team of wildlife technicians from Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science.
The hospital is a respected teaching and research facility. It provides hands-on training in wildlife medicine and husbandry for final year Veterinary and Bachelor of Veterinary Technology Students. Wildbase, working in collaboration with Wellington Zoo, also provides post graduate training to Veterinarians in zoo animal and wildlife health.
How you can help
For information see what to do if you find an injured animal. Click through to: https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/departments/centres-research/wildbase/wildbase-hospital/how-you-can-help.cfm
Wildlife casebook
For examples of cases we have worked on, see our wildlife casebook.
Conservation partners
Shell New Zealand is proud to be a Gold Conservation Partner of Wildbase Hospital.
Contact us
If you require more information please contact us.