$1million to wildlife units

Six southern wildlife institutions received more than $1million from a Department of Conservation (Doc) relief fund for wildlife institutions affected by Covid-19.

Announced last month, the $10million fund was shared among 28 applicants throughout the country.

The biggest recipient in Otago and Southland was Queenstown’s Kiwi Birdlife Park, with $495,000.

The park’s wildlife manager, Paul Kavanagh, told Mountain Scene the funding would secure the park’s future for 12-18 months.

The other recipients and the amounts they received are: Penguin Place, Otago Peninsula ($293,404), Orokonui Ecosanctuary ($75,000), Otago Museum ($68,500), and Penguin Rescue, Moeraki ($10,000).

The Otago Daily Times has already reported the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital received $140,000.

guy.williams@odt.co.nz