Terry the albatross was brought into Nikita's vet clinic by a member of the public. Photo: Supplied / Nikita
Two albatrosses found seriously injured on a Wellington beach in stormy weather last week have had to be put down.
The birds were among six taken to Wellington Zoo's animal care hospital, Te Kōhanga, The Nest, as the capital was battered by the worst wind seen in a decade.
A Wellington Zoo spokesperson said they were treated by vets but two were too badly injured to be saved.
"The main injuries we see are trauma to the joints and feet from crash landing, broken wings, and eye injuries from being batted around in the storm," the spokesperson said.
"We also see lots of anaemia and decreased kidney function from starvation and dehydration, from being away from the ocean and food sources for too long."
Kelly, the albatross. Photo: Facebook / Petone Beach Clean Up Crew
The spokesperson said birds suffering untreatable fractures or dislocations, or other injuries that affected their ability to fly, were extremely unlikely to survive once they were released.
Department of Conservation (DoC) biodiversity ranger David Moss said while the birds did not usually venture too close to the Wellington coastline, strong storms, such as the one last week, could blow them ashore and leave them exhausted or injured.
"If you find sick or injured albatrosses, we ask people make sure they are not being harassed by people or dogs," Moss said.
Pacific marine regional coordinator for Birdlife International, Dr Stephanie Borrelle, said that a bird with a broken wing or limb was unlikely to survive, but that albatrosses were used to rough conditions.
"They're made for the open ocean and big swells," she said.
"That's where they are their best."
Kelly, the albatross, was found waddling down Petone Wharf. Photo: Supplied / Nikita
Borelle said albatrosses could spend 10-12 years in the air above the Southern Ocean - "which is not a calm ocean" - and could often be spotted in the Cook Strait.
Borelle said while it was not unheard of for seabirds to be grounded when a storm hit, the frequency and severity of storms could make it a more common occurrence.
She said people should contact DoC if they discovered an albatross.
"I wouldn't suggest that people should be rehabilitating birds themselves," she said.
"Handling these birds when they're injured can lead to them being euthanised."
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