Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust

The Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust:

>Founded by Craig Shepherd and focused on the rehabilitation of waterfowl, but also attends to seabirds and some other breeds of birds as required.

These birds largely come from the SPCA and vet clinics, but we also get some from the Wellington Zoo, Massey University, and members of the public. The majority of birds coming in are orphaned ducklings. We deal with 300-400 birds per year aside from our permanent residents.

Their time in care can range from just a few days to 6 months with the goal being to release them back to the wild as quickly as possible. A small number that are not releasable spend their days in our large outdoor aviary.

> Is part of the captive breeding programme for Brown Teal which are one of the rarest ducks in New Zealand with approx. only 2500 teal left. So far I have bred four offspring which have now been released back into the wild.

Through our work we have met many wonderful people and made some great friends through the birds that we care for. We are constantly amazed at the effort that people will go to to get their birds to us( with one having been sent 300kms!)

> Craig Shepherd is current Chair of WReNNZ (Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand) and has been both vice-chair and Chair of Wellington SPCA and a trustee for Native Bird Rescue (Wellington) Trust.