100 Kea are held in 32 captive facilities around New Zealand (2006). These include wild caught birds and their progeny. Many of these birds are genetically important and may potentially be used in future breeding programmes.
The way in which Kea are held in captivity is extremely important to not only ensure both mental and physical health of captive individuals but also for advocacy purposes - highlighting Kea issues in the wild.
This page will highlight innovations in Kea enclosure design and provide a visual resource for holders of Kea who wish to increase their minimum standards.
Featured Enclosure
Orana Park, Christchurch
Photo credit: Orana Park 2009
"Orana Wildlife Park’s elderly Kea, Silver (20) and Kikimo (24), moved home from their 30 year old aviary (64 square metres) into a newly completed 352 square metre home yesterday. The birds will be given the chance to adapt to their new setting before the aviary is opened to the public later this year.
This exciting ‘walk-through’ exhibit was built by the Park’s Development team. The aviary has been five years in the planning and took one year to construct. It will provide the Kea with a healthier home and enable visitors to have close encounters with the ‘Clown of the Mountains.’
The exhibit is 20 metres long x 17.6 metres wide and reaches 6.8 metres at the peak. The habitat is designed to be a regenerating Beech forest and contains fallen trees, roosting posts, a water pool, a mountain hut iron roof and numerous other features for the birds. The exhibit will be easier for keepers to operate than the current facilities owing to the large space, a hospital and service area plus a removable door to add new items to the exhibit. Visitors will walk-through the exhibit and exit through a musterer’s hut, which is the main interpretation area."
For the full text of this press release please visit our Kea in the News page.
This enclosure will also have an interpretive area with information on kea and alpine ecosystems. Definitely worth a look!
Willowbank is a privately owned facility that does not claim to be a zoo but, as stated on its web-site, "accepts the responsibility and guardianship that goes with preserving and promoting wildlife conservation within New Zealand."
The Kea enclosure at Willowbank, along with Staglands in Wellington, is presently one of the best examples in New Zealand. It incorporates a large walk-through avairy (highly recommended for kea) with variable substrates, vegetation, and furniture (including its own alpine tramping hut). It also features a large lake which has a long boardwalk area for visitors to walk across.
Willowbank has the largest group of kea anywhere in New Zealand providing maximum opportunities for socialisation of the species.
On the Trusts visit to the facility in 2007, kea were observed bathing in the water and interacting positively amongst themselves and with the public. There were ample off display areas for the kea to go to, and, a variety of natural enrichment for them to explore.
Lorne (KCT)with a couple of new found friends!!
Willowbank Staff keeping an eye on things
Staglands Wildlife Reserve
Upper Hutt, Wellington
"Staglands was established by John Simister in 1972.
Staglands is involved in several aspects of conservation including threatened native species and rare breeds of animals. The reserve is home to several important native species of birds and liaison with the Department of Conservation takes place to ensure the long term survival of such species" (www.staglands.co.nz)
Kea are held in an extensive and naturalistic walk through enclosure which allows an exciting public experience. Close encounters in this situation increase empathy for species and are are therefore a powerful advocacy tool.
Kea, naturally curious, benefit from the constant stimulation (humans as enrichment!) but have ample off display areas to move to if desired.
Just as important is the way this enclosure is set out with:
variable substrates (grass, stones, large rocks and soil to dig in etc)
flowing water (kea love to bathe!);
different vegetation types (larger trees, grasses, flaxes and shrubs);
extensive freeflight area
interactive furniture (stumps/logs house insects which kea love to pick out).
Kea Information 
