Working with BirdCare Aotearoa to protect one of New Zealand's most vulnerable native seabirds
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's, conservation extends far beyond the aquarium walls, with the team helping rescue, rehabilitate and release vulnerable Cook's petrels as they make their annual journey across Auckland between breeding grounds and the open ocean.
Drawn off course by the city's bright lights, these nocturnal seabirds can become stranded on streets, rooftops, and construction sites; exhausted, injured, and unable to return to sea on their own.
In partnership with BirdCare Aotearoa, the SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's team has been supporting the rehabilitation and release of Cook's petrels, applying specialist animal care expertise to give these birds a second chance. The Cook's petrels' populations are considered relict, with fewer than 10% of their original population remaining.
Once rescued by members of the public or wildlife agencies, many birds arrive severely dehydrated, injured and too weak to feed themselves. From there, an intensive rehabilitation process begins, including fluid therapy, medical treatment, and tube feeding, followed by feather restoration and supervised pool sessions to help rebuild their strength and waterproofing. Only once the birds can safely swim and sustain themselves are they released back into the Moana.
This year alone, 39 Cook's petrels have been admitted into care, with 70 per cent successfully rehabilitated and returned to the wild. While rescue numbers were lower than expected, experts believe this may be linked to factors including food scarcity, weather patterns, or conversely, perhaps greater public awareness to reduce outdoor lighting during seabird migratory seasons.
By comparison, BirdCare admitted 100 Cook's petrels in 2025, with an average of 105 admissions recorded annually over the past four years — a sharp increase compared to just 24 rescues in 2019, coinciding with Auckland's widespread transition to LED lighting.
The rescue effort is increasingly being powered by the wider community. In one recent case, an NZTA construction crew working overnight discovered a grounded petrel and quickly coordinated emergency transport for the bird at 3am. After weeks in rehabilitation, BirdCare invited the crew to take part in the bird's release back into the wild — a powerful reminder of the role everyday New Zealanders can play in protecting native wildlife.
Dan Henderson, General Manager, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's, said, "We're proud to support the rehabilitation and release of Cook's petrels alongside BirdCare Aotearoa. Seabirds like these are deeply connected to ocean health and protecting them is part of our wider conservation mission. We encourage everyone to join us!"
At SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's, these efforts come to life through immersive guest experiences. Guests can walk beneath Kelly's pioneering acrylic tunnel filled with sea creatures, encountering marine life up close in a way few places in the world can offer. For those seeking something more adventurous, the Shark Cage Snorkel allows guests to come face-to-face with sharks in a safe, guided experience—no diving experience required. As part of a full day out, families can enjoy Penguin Passport Experience, a 60-minute exclusive tour to go behind-the-scenes to learn how these incredible King and Gentoo penguins are cared for up close.
Through these experiences, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's invites every guest to connect with the ocean, understand the challenges facing wildlife, and play a part in protecting its future.
Because every rescued animal has a story—and every visit helps make the next one possible.
For more information, visit: www.visitsealife.com/auckland/tickets-passes/experiences/
Download vision and high-res images here
About Merlin Entertainments:
Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-centre gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China, and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its growing estate, with over 140 sites across 23 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks, and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides, and uplifting learning experiences.
See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.
About BirdCare Aotearoa:
BirdCare Aotearoa is Auckland's main Dept of Conservation-permitted native bird hospital. The charity operates through generous donations and grants, working to recover and return manu taonga to their natural habitats. To support their life-saving work https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-us-save-titi-cooks-petrel
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's is Lighting the Way for Cook's Petrels
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YANGON, Myanmar and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia Healthcare Week Yangon 2026 is officially launched today at Park Royal Yangon, bringing together leading Malaysian hospitals to connect directly with Myanmar patients, healthcare professionals, and industry partners. The four-day initiative, led by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), comes amid a 117% increase in the number of Myanmar health tourists who travelled to Malaysia for treatment in 2025.
Held at Park Royal Yangon from 14 to 17 May 2026, the initiative is part of Malaysia's broader efforts under the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 campaign, themed Healing Meets Hospitality, which aims to position Malaysia as the preferred global destination for medical tourism.
The event brings together leading Malaysian healthcare providers, including the National Heart Institute (IJN), Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Alpha IVF, Sunway Medical Centre Penang, Prince Court Medical Centre, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, and KPJ Healthcare Group, showcasing Malaysia's comprehensive range of specialised treatments and patient-centred care.
The initiative comes at a time of rising demand for healthcare services abroad among Myanmar patients. In 2025, the number of health tourists from Myanmar grew by 117%, from 2,901 to 6,285, while the total number of healthcare travellers exceeded 44,000 — reflecting growing confidence in cross-border healthcare and in Malaysia's capabilities as a trusted destination.
MHTC's Chief Executive Officer, Suriaghandi Suppiah, said the initiative reflects Malaysia's long-term commitment to the region.
"Myanmar patients are choosing Malaysia because they trust our clinical standards and the care experience we provide. Malaysia Healthcare Week Yangon is about deepening that trust — connecting patients with our best hospitals and specialists, and building partnerships that ensure seamless, quality care long after the event ends," said Suppiah.
The programme features moderated forums with hospital leaders, insurers, and healthcare administrators; a session addressing embassy officials, expatriate communities, and NGOs; and a Malaysia-Myanmar Clinical Exchange dinner bringing together the medical fraternity from both countries. The weekend's public-facing health expo will offer free consultations and health talks on men's and women's health, wellness, and longevity.
Malaysia Healthcare Week Yangon 2026 is part of a series of regional activations under MYMT 2026. As Malaysia expands its healthcare travel outreach across Southeast Asia, the initiative reinforces the country's position as a trusted long-term healthcare partner — where Healing Meets Hospitality.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi
Head, Communications
+603 8776 6168
shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my
Siti Hamidah Mohd Najib
Senior Executive, Communications
+603 8776 6168
hamidah.m@mhtc.org.my
About Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the "Malaysia Healthcare" brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia's healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 80 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation's first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT 2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia's world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry's significant contribution to the national economy.
More information can be found at https://www.malaysiahealthcare.org.
YANGON, Myanmar and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia Healthcare Week Yangon 2026 is officially launched today at Park Royal Yangon, bringing together leading Malaysian hospitals to connect directly with Myanmar patients, healthcare professionals, and industry partners. The four-day initiative, led by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), comes amid a 117% increase in the number of Myanmar health tourists who travelled to Malaysia for treatment in 2025.
Held at Park Royal Yangon from 14 to 17 May 2026, the initiative is part of Malaysia's broader efforts under the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 campaign, themed Healing Meets Hospitality, which aims to position Malaysia as the preferred global destination for medical tourism.
The event brings together leading Malaysian healthcare providers, including the National Heart Institute (IJN), Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Alpha IVF, Sunway Medical Centre Penang, Prince Court Medical Centre, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, and KPJ Healthcare Group, showcasing Malaysia's comprehensive range of specialised treatments and patient-centred care.
The initiative comes at a time of rising demand for healthcare services abroad among Myanmar patients. In 2025, the number of health tourists from Myanmar grew by 117%, from 2,901 to 6,285, while the total number of healthcare travellers exceeded 44,000 — reflecting growing confidence in cross-border healthcare and in Malaysia's capabilities as a trusted destination.
MHTC's Chief Executive Officer, Suriaghandi Suppiah, said the initiative reflects Malaysia's long-term commitment to the region.
"Myanmar patients are choosing Malaysia because they trust our clinical standards and the care experience we provide. Malaysia Healthcare Week Yangon is about deepening that trust — connecting patients with our best hospitals and specialists, and building partnerships that ensure seamless, quality care long after the event ends," said Suppiah.
The programme features moderated forums with hospital leaders, insurers, and healthcare administrators; a session addressing embassy officials, expatriate communities, and NGOs; and a Malaysia-Myanmar Clinical Exchange dinner bringing together the medical fraternity from both countries. The weekend's public-facing health expo will offer free consultations and health talks on men's and women's health, wellness, and longevity.
Malaysia Healthcare Week Yangon 2026 is part of a series of regional activations under MYMT 2026. As Malaysia expands its healthcare travel outreach across Southeast Asia, the initiative reinforces the country's position as a trusted long-term healthcare partner — where Healing Meets Hospitality.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi
Head, Communications
+603 8776 6168
shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my
Siti Hamidah Mohd Najib
Senior Executive, Communications
+603 8776 6168
hamidah.m@mhtc.org.my
About Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the "Malaysia Healthcare" brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia's healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 80 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation's first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT 2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia's world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry's significant contribution to the national economy.
More information can be found at https://www.malaysiahealthcare.org.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Malaysia Healthcare Week Myanmar 2026 Opens in Yangon with Leading Hospitals Showcasing Specialised Care for Myanmar Patients
