Wildbase receives award for conservation work

Massey University’s Wildbase team was presented with an award from the Department of Conservation last week.

The award was in recognition of their long-term commitment to caring for injured wildlife, and in particular, their quick and comprehensive response to the wildlife crisis created by the grounding of the ship Rena last year.

The department’s area manager Jason Roxbourgh presented the award to Wildbase director Associate Professor Brett Gartrell, who gave a lecture to University alumni at the Japan Lecture Theatre on Friday.

Mr Roxburgh read a citation from the department’s director-general Al Morrison, who said that Massey could be proud of Wildbase for their unwavering commitment to native wildlife.   

The conservation awards are an opportunity to celebrate those who work tirelessly to protect and cherish the natural heritage of the Manawatu-Rangitikei area.

Based at Massey’s Manawatu campus, Wildbase is New Zealand’s leading wildlife health centre. Its mission is to promote and implement collaborative investigation and management of wildlife in support of the welfare and conservation of New Zealand native fauna. Wildbase offers four areas of wildlife health: hospital, oil response, research and pathology.