Knowing when a penguin is ready to leave is more art than science. Weight, posture, behaviour, and disposition all factor in. During moulting, the state of the feathers matters too. Miss any of it, and you either send a bird back too soon or keep it longer than necessary. Mid-moult and looking rough — patchy, fluffy, and not yet waterproof. This Hoiho came in underweight and needed help getting through one of the most physically demanding events of its year. We do not put our

Nobody wants to think about the worst happening. But if you run a wildlife rehabilitation facility, a little planning now can make a huge difference when things go wrong. Whether it's a burst pipe, a power cut, or something more serious, having a clear plan means your team knows what to do, your patients stay as safe as possible, and you spend less time panicking. Here are some key things to get in place. Sign-in procedures Every facility needs a staff and volunteer sign-in s

Wildlife rehabilitation isn't just a passion project — it's a responsibility. Every animal that comes into your care is counting on you to give it a real chance at returning to the wild healthy and capable of surviving on its own. That's exactly what the WReNNZ Minimum Standards are designed to support. Whether you're just starting or have years of experience under your belt, here's what good practice actually looks like in the field. Get the foundations right Before you do a

As wildlife rehabilitators, we often see the downstream effects of well-intentioned but nutritionally inadequate supplemental feeding. One of the most preventable yet devastating conditions we encounter is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)—a painful disorder that leaves birds with weakened bones, deformities, and compromised recovery potential. Understanding MBD in Your Patients MBD results from dietary imbalances, particularly inadequate calcium, excessive phosphorus, and insuffi