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infrequent (approximately once every 5 to 10 years), or happens more frequently (eg. annually) but at a low level which some farmers are willing to accept. Several methods are used to limit kea strike, such as keeping stock below 700 m elevation (where possible), and inoculating sheep against blood poisoning. Moving sheep between paddocks during winter is also thought to reduce kea strike. Kea strike causes death in sheep either from blood poisoning (malignant oedema caused by Clostridium), or from trauma as a result of severe injuries. Unfortunately, kea can inflict major wounds to sheep, and some wounded sheep that don’t die of trauma still have to be euthanased because of the severity of their wounds – even with antibiotics they ‘just don’t come right again’, as one farmer put it. A further method of reducing kea strike is lethal control of kea, which is done legally or illegally. The Department of Conservation can provide permits to farmers encountering kea strike on their farms. It is likely that some farmers take things into their own hands, either shooting kea without a permit or putting out poison to kill them. Poison and the use of pink batts are two illegal methods of reducing kea strike – both are inhumane as they can cause slow and painful death. Kea strike can have a considerable economic impact on farmers. One estimates that he has lost up to 400 sheep per year, equivalent to $20,000. Some farmers have abandoned areas of grazing on their stations because kea strike has
made the use of these areas uneconomical. Kea strike is also a welfare issue for sheep because it can cause injury and death. On the other hand, it’s also a welfare issue for kea, since they are killed during efforts to control kea strike. Kea strike is a classic, unresolved example of humanwildlife conflict in New Zealand. Human-wildlife conflict has recently started to be recognised as a global problem with major conservation implications, especially where threatened species are involved. The key to human-wildlife conflict is finding ways to reduce it while benefitting both humans and wildlife. It can be a considerable task, but it is possible. Getting a scientific understanding of these problems and finding out where breaks in communications between those involved, such as farmers and conservation
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organisations, can lead to mutually beneficial solutions. Whether it’s elephants raiding crops in Africa or kea attacking sheep in New Zealand, the best way forward is to try to get to grips with these problems, listen to everyone involved, and work together towards a solution. I’m currently doing my PhD through Massey University on kea strike in the Wakatipu in Otago, where the problem was first discovered. My aim is to try to gain a scientific understanding of it and help find ways to reduce it. The farmers I’ve been working with have been very supportive and accommodating, and I’ve learned a lot about high country farming since I began. I hope to be able to give back to them by helping to minimise kea strike in ways that work mutually for farmers, their stock and the kea. We’re looking for a win-win-win situation.
Photo: Ann McCrone