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Found a seabird needing rescuing?

Different seabirds will need some slight differences in rescuing. Here is some things which you should do and not do to rescue a seabird!

Basic Rescue

seabirdtowel.png

  1. Keeping a medium-sized box and towel in your vehicle.

  2. Place the towel over the bird and gently place it in the box. 

  3. Store it in a nice warm place

  4. When you can, take it to your nearest DOC permitted rehabilitation centre or vet which takes seabirds

  5.  When in doubt call your local SPCA 

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Seabird specific rescues

Petrels, Shearwaters and prions

Do's:

  • Keep a clean towel/pillowcase in your vehicle

  • Wrap it gently around the bird's body, wings, and head

  • Larger petrels and shearwaters - watch out for the beak and feet

  • Keep it in a quiet, warm location e.g. box with a towel in it

  • Take it to your nearest DOC permitted rehabilitation centre or vet 

  • If you have doubts, contact SPCA

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Don't:
  • Handle the bird unnecessarily i.e. cuddle
  • Pet the bird
  • Feed the bird
  • Talk loudly or play loud music
  • Release the bird yourself

Penguins

Do's:

  • Keep a clean towel/pillowcase in your vehicle

  • Wrap it gently around the bird's body, wings, and head

  • Watch out for the beak 

  • Keep it in a quiet, warm location e.g. box with a towel in it

  • Take it to your nearest DOC permitted rehabilitation centre or vet

  • If you have doubts, contact SPCA

     

Don't:
  • Handle the bird unnecessarily i.e. cuddle 
  • Pet the bird
  • Feed the bird
  • Talk loudly or play loud music
  • Release the bird yourself

Gannets

Do's:

  • Keep a clean towel/pillowcase in your vehicle

  • If possible, wear glasses/goggles and welding gloves when handling - they have a powerful bite

  • Wrap it gently around the bird's body, wings, and head

  • Watch out for the beak - a very powerful bite

  • Keep it in a quiet, warm location e.g.  a large box with a towel in it

  • Take it to your nearest DOC-permitted rehabilitation centre or vet 

  • If you have doubts, contact SPCA

​
Don't:
  • Hold or tape the mouth shut - they have no nostrils and only breathe through their mouth
  • Handle the bird unnecessarily i.e. cuddle
  • Pet the bird
  • Feed the bird
  • Talk loudly or play loud music
  • Release the bird yourself

Shags

Do's:

  • Keep a clean towel/pillowcase in your vehicle

  • If possible, wear glasses/goggles and welding gloves when handling - they have a flexible neck, sharp bite, and aim for the face

  • Wrap it gently around the bird's body, wings, and head

  • Watch out for the beak - a very powerful bite

  • Keep it in a quiet, warm location e.g.  a large box with a towel in it

  • Take it to your nearest DOC-permitted rehabilitation centre or vet.

  • If you have doubts, contact SPCA 

​
Don't:
  • Hold or tape the mouth shut - they have no nostrils and only breathe through their mouth
  • Handle the bird unnecessarily i.e. cuddle
  • Pet the bird
  • Feed the bird
  • Talk loudly or play loud music
  • Release the bird yourself

Reporting

We would greatly appreciate any reporting of a grounded seabird whether it be found dead or alive. Please fill out this simple form mention the location and date of the grounded seabird.

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