The Wildlife Hospital - Dunedin

The Dunedin Wildlife Hospital is a veterinary facility specialising exclusively in the treatment of New Zealand’s native species.

Nationwide

Who we are

The Wildlife Hospital is located in Dunedin, the Wildlife Capital of New Zealand. Our veterinary team treat a wide variety of native species - hundreds each year - including parrots, penguins, reptiles, sea lions and more. More than 75% of native species in New Zealand are threatened. Many are found nowhere else in the world. The Wildlife Hospital has a critical role in the survival of many of these species.

What we do

The Dunedin Wildlife Hospital is a veterinary facility specialising exclusively in the treatment of New Zealand’s native species. Our vet team cares for some of the world’s rarest and most endangered species at our headquarters in the Wildlife Capital of New Zealand, Ōtepoti Dunedin. Each year, we treat more than 600 native patients, with a world class success rate of around 80%, sending the vast majority of cases back into the wild where they belong. Our patients include iconic New Zealand species like hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins, kākāpō, kiwi, kea and tuatara, among many more. The majority of the patients we treat are taonga - treasured species - to Ngāi Tahu and other iwi across the South Island. Our core work is the expert veterinary care of native species, with the ultimate goal of returning patients back into the wild where they belong. The Wildlife Hospital team also delivers education for veterinary professionals, contributes to research, and engages with community on conservation efforts.

Our Mission

To improve the wellbeing of NZ’s native wildlife through expert veterinary care, and education

More about us

The Wildlife Hospital – Dunedin is the only dedicated specialist facility of its kind in the south island of New Zealand treating some of the world’s most unique and threatened species including kakapo, kea, takahe, kiwi birds, sea lions and many species of penguin. Our vision is: “Thriving native wildlife in Aotearoa.” Our services include receiving sick and injured animals, diagnosis and triage, treatment, hospitalisation and recovery, and working to ensure successful rehabilitation and release back to the native environment.