Former television star Mrs Cato and Wildlife Hospital Dunedin hosted an event in the Otago Museum yesterday as part of the Wild Dunedin festival.
"Wildlife ER with Suzy Cato" gave Dunedin youth a chance to bring in their stuffed animals and learn how to bandage injuries like the team at the Wildlife Hospital, a veterinary centre dedicated to treating native species.
Mrs Cato said the day was all about educating children in a fun way.
"It’s a way of introducing kids to the concept that there is a need for a wildlife hospital.
"We’re instilling an idea of nurturing wildlife and each other," she said.
The session started out with a performance of It’s Our Time before she read a fictional story about her adventures as a doctor treating various animals.
Wildlife Hospital Dunedin manager Jordana Whyte said the event was also about raising awareness and supporting conservation efforts, as all money raised from the event would go directly to the hospital.
Mrs Whyte took youth on an online tour of the wildlife hospital and later handed out veterinary bandages to show how to treat injured native animals.
Yesterday marked the second year of collaboration between Mrs Cato and the wildlife hospital.
"Who wouldn’t collaborate with Suzy Cato?
"She’s so well known, beloved and appeals to a broad range of ages," Mrs Whyte said.
Both Mrs Whyte and Mrs Cato said the event was fantastic and larger than the previous year.
