Wildlife Rehab, Nelson NZ

15/10/2026

Spring is the time of year that we get numerous calls from concerned residents about ducks and ducklings that may be injured, sick, stuck in drains, orphaned, or crossing roads.

12/10/2026

Cuteness overload.... Warou - Welcome swallow fledgling. This little one was found all alone on the ground at a parking lot. After all efforts to locate the nest were unsuccessful, this little floof came into our care.

28/09/2026

There is a leopard seal today at Tāhunanui beach, please respect it and give it space. DOC has been notified...

Seals are wild animals and will defend themselves if they feel threatened. While they can look harmless, leopard seals can swivel around very quickly from their resting position to attack and can inflict serious injuries to dogs or people. They also can carry infectious diseases.

Follow these simple guidelines when watching seals for your safety and that of the animals:

stay at least 20 m away
don’t disturb seals by making loud noises or throwing things
keep dogs and children away
don’t feed the seals
never attempt to touch a seal.

It is an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 (MMPA) to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill a seal. A dog owner whose dog attacks a seal could face prosecution. Anyone charged under the MMPA with harassing, disturbing, injuring or killing a seal faces a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or a fine to a maximum of $250,000. https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/leopard-seal/

19/09/2026

19/09/2026

Dogs are lovely companions but off leash in coastal areas they can harm wildlife. Here in Nelson/Tasman there are penguins all along the coastline. Please be mindful of wildlife when walking your dog...

16/09/2026

From 15 August to the end of February each year, dogs are prohibited on the western 4km of the Boulder Bank...

🚩Reminder: The seasonal restriction for dogs on the Boulder Bank is in place.

Nesting season is here for shorebirds on the Boulder Bank, and the seasonal dog prohibition has begun.

From 15 August to the end of February each year, dogs are prohibited on the western 4km of the Boulder Bank. This protects nesting red-billed gull/tarāpunga, white-fronted tern/tara, banded dotterel/pohowera and variable oystercatcher/tōrea pango while they sit on eggs and raise their chicks.

Dogs are also prohibited at all times from the corner of Nelson Haven where Boulder Bank drive and the Boulder Bank Scenic Reserve join (500m triangle zone along the road and Boulder Bank tidal area). This area is an important roosting site for shorebirds at high tide.

If you're using a vessel to visit the Boulder Bank, please keep dogs on board. If you're on a mooring, please don't take dogs ashore. Dog walkers; please keep to the eastern end of the bank and outside of the seasonal restriction zones; keep your dog on a lead where required, as this protects your dog and the nesting shorebirds.

More information: https://buff.ly/yfkyfPo

A joint message from the Department of Conservation and Nelson City Council

14/09/2026

Please don't feed gulls hot chips. Hot chips can burn. These crop injuries are painful third degree thermal burns, which impact feeding and cause the tissue to die...

11/09/2026

Recently a kererū was found with a rope tied around its leg in Riwaka. Kererū are a protected species. It’s disturbing that someone would do this!

Recently a kererū was found with a rope tied around its leg in Riwaka.

Luckily, a member of the public was able to remove the rope, but it’s disappointing to see someone has done this to a protected native species.

Kererū are the only birds big enough to swallow large fruit from trees like miro and tawa, so they’re crucial for spreading seeds in native forests.

It's important people give protected species like kererū space and report anything of concern – we’re reminding people not to try and trap or otherwise disturb these birds.

We would like to know how this happened. If you have any info, please call 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468) or email [email protected], quoting CLE-12463.

08/09/2026

"Whilst many people are responsible, others sadly treat accessible coastal wildlife such as seals and penguins with disrespect."

Document and report wildlife harassment immediately to the DOC Hotline 0800 362 468

04/09/2026

In support of the Kaikōura kororā - little penguins...

DOC & MPI: Protect NZ Penguins from H5N1 Bird Flu & Approve Vaccination