Bird hospital site sought

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 6

Bird hospital site sought

Plans for a wild bird hospital and sanctuary in Christchurch are well under way and its organisers expect to find a site within the next two months. One man behind the Avian Welfare Project, Mr Jim Baggstrom, the Botanic Gardens ranger, said that its 15 signatories had formed an incorporated society last week and were looking at five possible sites for the centre. He expected a decision before Christmas. “It is all serious from now on,” he said. A Maori trust had offered labour using young Maoris under a Government employment scheme and the ;Englandbased World Society -for the Protection of Animals was providing technicaf data. Interested people-have already given about $4OOO but completed plans for.-a threemodule surgery, bird housing area, and reception area will

cost an estimated $25,000 to build. At present the hospital functions from Mr Baggstrom’s backyard. Volunteer •?.. ambulance drivers bring in injured or sick birds and veterinary surgeons are on call for any necessary major surgery. More tha'n;24o birds have been treated at the Avonhead property in the last seven months, a 70 per cent increase in the number treated during the corresponding period last year. “The number, of birds we are dealing with shows the need for this type of service,” said Mr Baggstrom. Native bush at the rear of the section was crowded with abandoned baby magpies, starlings, and ducklings. His ultimate aim, was! a national bird wildlife centre with permanent staff, for research work.