Lost from Sea: Light-Impacted seabird rehabilitation at BirdCare Aotearoa

Did you know that Aotearoa NZ is the seabird capital of the world? 95 species return each spring, to our unique ecosystems and nesting grounds. Parents raise their fluff-ball chicks over summer, while facing environmental pressures (habitat loss and food scarcity). In late summer to autumn, the surviving fledglings embark on their maiden flights— long-haul journeys, to spend several years at sea before returning to nest.

Those emerging juveniles are the most vulnerable to the impacts of our bright city! Their nocturnal navigation is disoriented by the dazzling lights. Thank you to Auckland's bird heroes, who rescue hundreds of sea birds each autumn, and bring these taonga to BirdCare Aotearoa. Our charity rehabilitates these patients, and we need $ help!

"On arrival, patients typically have a depressed mood, and are not-responsive to visual or auditory stimuli," explains our Hospital Manager. "All are found grounded (unable to fly), dehydrated and malnourished." Many also have injured wings and legs. The disoriented birds have often nose-dived into human infrastructure (buildings, streetlights), evident as head injuries, swollen beaks, eyes, and internal damage in our medical examinations.

Their recovery involves specialised tube-feeds— slowly progressing to solids, medication and swim-therapy... until they are fit to return to the moana!

90% of seabird populations are at risk of extinction... Please help us rehabilitate the casualties rescued from our brightly-lit city!