Kea Captive Population
Kea Numbers in Captivity
86 kea are held in 19 public facilities and by 12 permited private holders around New Zealand (May 2010). This number has reduced from 102 in 2002 due to an aging population. Many of these kea are genetically important and may potentially be used in future breeding programmes.
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Species Co-ordinator
The Kea Captive Management Co-ordinator appointed by the Department of Conservation (DoC), is Tony Pullar. Tony manages the studbook for all captive kea in New Zealand and liaises with both kea holders and DoC regarding management of the captive kea population.
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Selective Breeding of the Captive Population
At present there is limited and highly selective breeding of kea as directed by the Species Coordinator. This is necessary to preserve maximum genetic diversity and normal kea reproductive behaviours to ensure sustainability of any future captive breeding programme.
The Kea Conservation Trust believes that those facilities recommended to breed kea should be proven to have the following:
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the highest of husbandry standards (inclusive of a highly variable enrichment and training programme);
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a high standard of enclosure design (with enough complexity to ensure optimal mental and physical health);
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a detailed advocacy strategy (inclusive of a a captive environment which engages the viewing public and increases empathy for the species and displayed information which is informative, accurate and encourages positive public involvement).
For more information on captive breeding, please visit our Captive Breeding page in the menu.
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Kea Advocacy
Whilst there is no breed to release programme for kea, the main justification for holding kea in captivity is for advocacy and research purposes to benefit the species in the wild. This can only be achieved through ensuring that individual facilities enclosures and husbandry techniques are of a standard that positively fulfills the species physical and psychological requirements and immerse and enthuse the public.
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Captive Research
Research into how kea should be best managed in captivity can be accessed from our Resources page (under Manuals and Papers).
This page is to be updated over the next month with a list of past and present captive research projects and links to accessing this information.
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Kea Enrichment
Kea have evolved in a highly diverse and complex environment. As a result they are prone to develop stereotypic (repetitive) behaviours when kept in a captive environment lacking in adequate stimulation.
Stereotypic behaviours do not occur in the wild situation and as such are often used as welfare indicators in the zoo situation.
Enriching the keas captive environment should therefore be part of basic daily husbandry.
To learn more about stereotypic behaviours and find out easy ways to introduce enrichment into the captive environment, please visit our Kea Enrichment page (in the menu).
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Kea Husbandry Manual - 2010
An updated Husbandry Manual (and associated minimum standards and audit documents) has now been developed and is available to download here. This is presently in the process of being endorsed by the Department of Conservation and we will upload any final changes (if any) as required.
Once endorsed by DOC, the new manual will replace the present document (1996).
 2010 Kea Husbandry Manual
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DOC Kea Captive Management Review 2002
The 2002 Review of the Kea Captive Management Plan differs significantly from the more widely used 1996 Kea Captive Management Plan and Husbandry Manual (Pullar). Although not officially signed off by DoC it potentially impacts on the future of the entire kea captive population. As such it is important that all holders read through the review. This can be downloaded in full from our Research and Literature Page. We advise all holders to be familiar with this prior to any DoC re-evaluation of the strategy. click here to see the article
The Kea Conservation Trust will watch with interest on progression of any review and will update all members on any developments as they occur. Information will be updated on this page as it is received.
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Kea Information 
