Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery Operational Progress Update
Facility operational status • The facility is now operating 6 days a week for visitor interactions and 7 days for animal care • The education programme is running Monday to Friday • Public access is Wednesday to Saturday • The facility is operating as it was envisioned with 34 patients being rehabilitated over the past 3 months Key Public Engagement Highlights • The education programme has been accessed by 1500 Achievements students • We have had over 34,000 total visitors to the Centre • Peak days include the Explore Victoria Esplanade Day where over 5,000 people attended throughout the day • Easter holidays saw an average of 180 people per hour through the Centre Groups • While the majority has been general public we have also accommodated a number of community groups such as rest homes, disability networking group and many others • These groups have informed other operational requirements/modifications
Education Programme • Feedback from the students and teachers has been fantastic • Fully booked term 2 • A demand for an ECE programme was identified • Developed ECE programme based on workshops with ECE teachers to meet their needs • Junior Wildbase Conservationists programme has been started to engage youth outside of the school programme Key Website Achievements • The website is fully operational and is in the testing phase • Once testing is completed we will begin phase two with the addition of a full Te Reo M āori toggle capability Brochure • Both Te Reo and English brochures have been developed and are in circulation • Both versions have shown a high demand
Opening approach – Phased opening Limited hours to allow Booking process completion of further Public access enhancements • To deal with initial high • Involved reducing • No longer need bookings demand education programme • Various days allow for days • To help our visitor hosts different experiences find their feet • Education programme is • Wednesday – Friday now running Monday – • To give high quality 1:00pm – 4:00pm suit Friday experience to inform the older groups where public about our purpose • This enabled an informed crowds may not be approach to help develop suitable the programme for term • Saturday 10:00am – two 4:00pm is perfect for • Identified the need for families to come through other programmes
Public Engagement Over 34,000 people through the Centre as at 11/05/2019 Explore Esplanade Day saw over 5000 visitors through in a limited capacity – the feedback about this was extremely positive
“Great place to learn, explore and a nice way to take care of the birds” “A great place. Lovely to see our native birds and interactive learning for the children that they enjoyed” Public “A wonderful place, thank you for all of Feedback your hard work” “A beautiful place, great to see the Māori language implemented” “Amazing that Palmerston North has this to offer”
“The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly, and we look forward to seeing you again when we return on our annual visit to Palmy next year - by which time you'll be fully operational! “ “We were both impressed by the facilities, the information and especially by the volunteers. They were all so enthusiastic Visitor Host when speaking about the facility, the' patients' and the conservation work of Wildbase. Please thank them all.” and Programmes “The layout is beautiful and amenities world -class. We were very amused by the antics of the kaka and were delighted with Feedback the story of their developments since moving into the free- flight aviary, having lived so long in the dreadful concrete cages by the paddling pool.” “I hope that you will consider doing this again for our science trip next year as both the staff and students were raving about the wonderful sights and knowledge they learnt from your visit. “
Education Programme Breakdown Education Booking Type # of bookings # (15/1/2019 to 10/5/2019) Students Primary School 755 11 Early Childhood 129 7 Enviro Group 20 1 Secondary School 300 1 Home Educators 33 2 Scout 25 1 English Learning 108 3 Holiday Programme 160 5 Totals 31 1530
Education Programme Bookings Primary School Early Childhood Enviro Group Secondary School Home Educators Scout
Status Number Released 25 Current Patients 6 Animal Care Euthanised 3 Operations Total 34
Some of our patients Kārearea ( NZ falcon) 5,000 – 8,000 The population is recovering This patient was successfully released Public came specifically to see this patient
Some of our patients K ororā (little blue penguin) Succuessfully rehablitated Sent to Auckland Zoo to be a part of their captive breed for release programme She was the superstar of the centre and kids still come in asking about her
Some of our patients Kōtare / Kingfisher We have seen a number of this species through the centre All have been successfully released with one current patient due for release very soon
Some of our patients Kāhu / Harrier Hawk Suffered multiple fractures Stay at the centre was approximately 3 weeks to regain muscle mass Successfully released We have seen a number of this species in the Centre Even though they are common, engagement with them has been high as it is not often you can see them ‘up close’
Some of our patients Kererū This species has made up the majority of our patients Primarily keel and sternum fractures One even flew inside the Centre which was in need of treatment! It must have known we were open for business
Captive Breed for Release Programme P āteke (brown teal) Only around 2500 left This season the pair produced 6 successfully fledged chicks These have been sent to The Issac Conservation and Wildlife Trust hardening facility We have increased our breeding programme to 3 pairs of p āteke, utilising the existing Victoria Esplanade aviaries
Captive Breed for Release Programme Whio / Blue duck Very happy in their new enclosure Still working out what they are meant to be doing… We are hoping for big results in the coming breeding season
We would like to take this chance to thank our This is all credit wonderful sponsors and supporters for continuing to enable the vitally important mahi to your help and of our world class facility. support!
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