WELLINGTON, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government is providing 150,000 NZ dollars (85,217 U.S. dollars) in one-off funding to six accredited wildlife care facilities to support bird flu surveillance and response, ministers said Thursday.
The funding will be shared by Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, Wellington Zoo, Auckland Zoo, BirdCare Aotearoa, South Island Wildlife Hospital and Massey Wildbase Hospital.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said in a statement that the facilities were important partners in protecting native species and helping authorities understand emerging threats such as bird flu.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the facilities were an important part of New Zealand's bird flu surveillance through existing contracts with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
"Early detection will be critical to limiting the impact on industries, wildlife and communities if bird flu spreads beyond individual wild birds," Hoggard was quoted as saying.
The funding would allow the facilities to strengthen biosecurity protocols, purchase equipment or increase their capacity to care for sick or injured native birds, he said, adding that MPI has also offered wider support, including equipment and practical information. ■
