Vets go on the run for penguins

Two Southland vets are putting their best foot forward to raise money to help save Southland wildlife.

Waikiwi Vet Centre’s Maddie Jardine and Vet South Gore’s David Granby will be running the Christchurch Marathon on June 4 as part of their fundraising campaign March of the Penguins.

The funds are going towards The Wildlife Hospital - Dunedin, which is being set up later this year.

Jardine and Granby are hoping to raise $2500 to pay for an intensive care unit to be used at the hospital.

Jardine said they got the idea after working with the hospital’s founder, veterinary scientist Lisa Argilla.

‘‘She was the vet in charge of the kakapo bumper breeding season in 2016. As there was no hospital here, we treated some of the kakapo chicks at our clinic.’’

The new project is following on from a temporary facility set up in Dunedin earlier this year to treat injured yellow-eyed penguins.

With the closest wildlife medical centre currently in Christchurch, Jardine said the new facility would be able to service Southland as well as Otago.

Jardine said it was not uncommon to get wild animals sent in for treatment at vet clinics in Invercargill, with penguins, seagulls, woodpigeons, and even a seal having come through the Waikiwi clinic.

‘‘The vets in Invercargill have a special interest in birds, but we’re not wildlife specialists. Even animals like cats and dogs have very specific treatment needs, and then birds have a whole set of different needs again. If we can send them up to Dunedin, they will be able to get the best treatment available.’’

Jardine said the training for the marathon had now begun in earnest. ‘‘I’ve never done a marathon before and David is more of a footy player, so I think it will be an interesting experience.’’

JOHN HAWKINS/FAIRFAX NZ 634254244 Waikiwi Vet Services veterinarian Maddie Jardine said the type of treatment for native wildlife was significantly different than what was needed for domestic pets such as cats and dogs.