Last week's Speakers
Last week, Jordana Whyte and Steve walker spoke to the club last week about the Wildlife Hopspital.
The hospital was founded by Lisa Argilla and has been open for six months now. The hospital is for native wildlife. Before now there was no facility for injured penguins in Otago.
The hospital relies on the generosity of the community and partners, particularly Otago Polytechnic where the hospital is co-located. There is a full surgical theatre there and equipment which has all been donated.
Patients of the hospital so far have included:
Wax eye, Kiwi, Tui, Kereru, Harrier hawk, Erect crested penguins, Yellow eyed penguins, Kea, Kaka and one seal!
10% of the penguin population has been through the hospital already. There has been a total of 274 patients in the first six months with an 82% success rate.
Jordana and Steve gave a most interesting presentation including a video showing three of the Highlanders rugby players volunteering and releasing penguins back into the wild.
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