Avian Rescue Otago Emergency and Critical Care Centre

11/06/2025

We have had a change of name! Same organisation, same skills, same people but we wanted our name to reflect what we do in the rescue, not only rehab, rescue but also emergency and critical care for all natives right across the region

Avian Rescue Otago is a not for profit bird rescue located in Alexandra but we cover a larger area.

03/06/2025

With winter our raptors start to experience a shortage of food, relying on carrion (road kilk) to survive, hawks are often slow to move off if they're younger as they have minimal traffick sense, hungry bird may be reluctant to move too. If you see one on the road please slow down and honk your horn and give them time to move off.

We experience a influx of little owls in this period as they often lay on the road absorbing the warmth making them prone to vehicle strike. Our native karearea also suffer and so they venture further into town this can become a issue with aviaties as they wills keep flying at the side, covering the sides can reduce this instance. Should a native karearea start harassing chickens please take steps ro keep them safe in the mean time. Often they can be a issue and sometimes if the behavior continues for the birds welfare and safety, relocation of the birds can be done

If you spot carrion on the road and it's safe to do so, pull over and move it 1 meter from the roadside so the bird can safely eat

If you need assistance please give usba message on our page or call on 027 324 5099

01/06/2025

With the recent windy weather, you may come across shearwaters and oetrels blown inland by storms becoming grounded, once on the ground they can not take off again and due to the way they their legs sit back further they often have trouble walking, choosing to hide in bushes for cover.

Should you find a seabird or other native in need give us a message on Facebook or call for further instructions.

Use a clean box lined with a towel and using a clean towel or gloves, pick up the bird watching out for their sharp beak! These guys often need some R&R to regain waterproofing and sometimes assisted feeding and fluids if they're underweight or dehydrated!

14/05/2025

We are excited to announce the opening of our newest rehab enclosure, it's HUGE and specifically for our hawks and Falcon rehabilitation. The location will remain undisclosed.

*WATCH THIS SPACE*
All details including the amazing company behind this will be revealed soon!

16/04/2025

**Ranfurley**

Update: Rio is back home safe and sound
Rio took an unexpected flight on Monday in Stafford Street. He has not been seen since, please keep an eye out for him! He's a very loved wee bird and is full of character. If you do see him please do not run up to him or attempt to net him or anything until you call his owners on 0273892383

05/04/2025

Brilliant work by a rescue we work closely with and a person I work closely with to help ensure the welfare of our native birdlife. We'll done team

04/04/2025

You may have noticed we have been a bit quiet on social media.... well I have.... the pressure on me as the sole nurse and rehabber at the rescue, trying to see and save every animal possible, countless hours of driving, fighting to get birds into the right hands, fighting organisation's that should be helping us and advocating to do the right thing and not turn a blind eye.

With this job comes an large numbers of wildife suffering wounds and infection, illegally kept and in a cindition most couldnt bear to see, we are the choice makers to their future and no matter howe many times that calls made, there's still a guilt reaction and after so long the years of running round trying to service a area as big as we do 24/7, you become burnt out, you need a break but there's nobody to step in to do it, but eventually it comes to loggerheads and we need a few weeks to breathe again and and just let the burnout subside. I am now back on deck and ready to start helping our feathered friends again

*NOTE - we only take natives and other protected species such as harriers and owls etc*

08/03/2025

OPEN TODAY
Our plant stalls open with some new plants for sale at 50 Ventry Street Alexandra

01/03/2025

**SCAFFOLDING**
For our new raptor enclosure we are in need of functional old scaffolding that we can join to make a easy to assemble, move and robust frame. If anyone has any they would donate please get in touch! It would be HUGELY appreciated!!

Please share to get the word out!

01/03/2025

We are selling a limited number of thus stunning succulent after a terrific season where they produced many pups. $20 for the larger and $10 for the medium, small are $8. Require fresh draining soil and alot of sun and allow the soil to dry between watering.
1 per person. PM me if you would like to purchase one

25/02/2025