Jordana Whyte is the Trust Manager for the Wildlife Hospital Dunedin, an organisation she co-founded in 2015. She also serves as chair of the NZ Sea Lion Trust. Her previous experience involves being a Project Manager for the Cosy Homes Trust and she has a community development and grant writing background. She is also on the Predator Free Dunedin trust board.At the Hospital Jordana does everything that doesn’t involve the patients. Interestingly, patients must be native NZ species.
Located next to the Polytech, the Wildlife Hospital has 3 Vets and 2 Vet Nurses on the staff. Founder Dr Lisa Agilla is a well-qualified wildlife and avian specialist, with degrees from Massey.
The Hospital has 3 wards – seabirds (especially penguins), forest birds including Kiwi, and an ICU ward. ICU is especially important for rare species who often need isolating.
The surgical theatre is well equipped for aesthetics, and there is equipment for X-ray, transfusion, incubators, fluid pumps, endoscopy, lab equipment and a therapy pool. This pool is especially important for seabirds. Their care often involves re-establishing behaviours necessary for their return to the wild.
With patients from all over the South Island the Hospital is often at full capacity, although right now it is quiet.
Some statistics from 2022
624 patients
47 different species
62% threatened or at-risk status
80% success rate!
p.s. looking for a unique gift for a special person? Christmas? Birthday? Anniversary? The hospitals on-line store offers virtual gifts such as a "bucket of fish". It’s amazing how much fish your average penguin can put away! https://www.wildlifehospitaldunedin.org.nz/xmas-store/bucket-of-fish
