Jenny the falcon's hernia surgery

Jenny's Journey  

(Content warning: surgical photos)

In February 2018, a juvenile kārearea was found unconscious after striking a glass door on a farm near Fairlie. Despite best efforts from rescuers at the The New Zealand Raptor Trust Timaru, Jenny was left with a permanently drooping wing and neurological damage that meant she could never return to the wild. Instead, she joined the Kārearea Falcon Trust breed-for-release programme in 2019, where she became a much-loved resident alongside her mate Pari and has since helped strengthen the future of her species through offspring released into the wild.

Now seven and a half years old, Jenny still has many years ahead of her. That's why our team became concerned when routine health checks revealed a soft bulging lump above her cloaca. The mass was consistent with an abdominal hernia, and we immediately began working with our veterinary network to investigate.

 

Jenny's abdominal hernia - also revealed on xrays

What followed was a challenging journey requiring an incredible team effort.

According to experienced avian vet Dr Rachel Stanyer, Jenny's hernia was unusually large, with sections of her intestines having moved outside the abdominal cavity and into the hernia itself. After extensive testing, the good news was that Jenny was otherwise in excellent health. The weakened abdominal muscles were thought to be linked to injuries sustained during her original window strike years ago. The surgery was complex and the anaesthesia carried significant risks, but thanks to the expertise and dedication of the Nelson Vets team, Jenny was given yet another chance.

     

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr Rachel Stanyer, Dr Adam Stanyer, veterinary nurses Daniella Essell, Jacqui Fairbairn and Roxy Ridgway for the skill, care and teamwork they brought to Jenny's case.

Dr Rachel reflected: "We are thrilled that Jenny is recovering well after such major surgery. It is an absolute privilege for our team to have been able to help such a beautiful taonga and to support the work of the Kārearea Falcon Trust."

  

Back home, Jenny's recovery has been supported every step of the way by Holly Turner, Zoey Kung and Aoife Spokes, providing daily monitoring, medication, rehabilitation and plenty of TLC.

Today we're celebrating not only Jenny's progress, but also what can be achieved when passionate wildlife carers and dedicated veterinary professionals come together for a bird in need.

Jenny still has some healing ahead of her, but she's proving once again that she's one tough little falcon.

Jenny with her mate Pari