TV series focuses on Wildlife Hospital

Award-winning company Natural History New Zealand is set to produce a television series focusing on all the great work that goes on at the Wildlife Hospital Dunedin.

Titled Wildlife Rescue, the documentary series will comprise five 45-minute programmes, which will be screened on Choice TV once production finishes in 2019.

The Wildlife Hospital, which opened in January 2018, receives financial and other support from Otago Polytechnic. Significantly, the hospital operates out of Otago Polytechnic’s School of Veterinary Nursing.

Wildlife Rescue follows the dedicated veterinary team, who help safeguard New Zealand’s native species through rescue, rehabilitation and research.

“This is fantastic news for all concerned,” says Phil Ker, Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive.

“This is another example of why our decision to accommodate the Wildlife Hospital at the School of Veterinary Nursing was a good one; we are confident of solid academic and research gains, in addition to the already very clear community and biodiversity benefits. Otago Polytechnic intends to work hard to make the most of this opportunity.”

Wildlife Rescue will provide the audience with a rare window into what it takes to save a wild life, from the smallest penguin to the largest sea lion, or the rare takahē to the common tui.

NHNZ Managing Director Kyle Murdoch: “Wildlife Rescue is such an important story for NHNZ to tell; NHNZ began telling stories about the plight of our local wildlife over 40 years ago, but creating and sharing content that can make a difference is even more important today than ever before.”

Wildlife Hospital Trust Chair Steve Walker: “This is, of course, excellent news. While the Wildlife Hospital will be at the centre of the documentary series, it will also be an opportunity to highlight the efforts of so many people throughout the Otago/Southland region who are helping to recover, treat and rehabilitate our native animals.

“The captivating stories that we have to tell have attracted interest from TV companies across the globe. However, we have remained loyal to Dunedin-based NHNZ, so we couldn’t be more delighted that they will be producing the documentary series as it’s been a genuine pleasure to deal with them during the past 20 months.”