1 August 2016
Nightshade the morepork returns home to Levin after making a full recovery.
A morepork, named Nightshade by MoreFM listeners, who has spent the past two months recovering from treatment for a
broken foot and concussion at Massey Univeristy’s Wildbase Hospital, will be released in the Papaitonga Scenic Reserve
near Levin at 4.30pm on Tuesday 2 August.
Representatives from Wildbase Hospital, and the Department of Conservation, will be joined by the MoreFM Mike West in
the Morning team and their Junior Journo, Haley Stewart.
Nightshade’s injuries were caused in an unfortunate collision with a car near Levin, but the bird was quickly taken to
the SPCA before being transferred to Wildbase Hospital on June 3. Upon receiving full bloods and radiographs,
Nightshade was found to have a fracture to its left foot which required strapping in place. Nightshade was placed on
cage rest for a few weeks while recovering.
Five weeks’ after receiving treatment, Nightshade had further radiographs which showed great healing.
The bird was transferred to Turakina Bird Rescue where wildlife carer Dawne Morton oversaw rehabilitation. Once
established, patients will be transferred to Wildbase Recovery’s purpose-built rehabilitation aviaries at this stage. A
further three weeks’ recuperation was all that was required for Nightshade to fully recover and be ready for release.
MoreFM’s Junior Journo, Hayley Stewart will follow up her recovery report at Nightshade’s release alongside Mike West in
the Morning’s Gareth Pringle, Johnelle Hosking, and Mike West.
Set in Palmerston North’s Victoria Esplanade, Wildbase Recovery will provide 14 purpose-built rehabilitation aviaries
and Massey University’s world-class care for native wildlife to fully recover before their release.
Wildbase Recovery is a collaboration between Palmerston North City Council and Massey University, with support from
Rangitāne iwi, New Zealand Rotary and Lions clubs. The Department of Conservation has been involved throughout the
development of the project, and has provided a 30 year permit for the display of recovering native species, the first of
its kind.
The Wildbase Recovery Community Trust are tasked with fundraising the $5.69m needed to build the national wildlife
rehabilitation facility. Anyone wishing to donate can do so through their Give a little page
https://givealittle.co.nz/org/wildbaserecovery or get in contact via their website www.wildbaserecovery.co.nz.
-ENDS-