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KEA IN THE NEWS…
This past year saw a large number of kea articles in the media. Here is a small sample from across the year ranging from the literal highs of two intrepid brothers raising funds for kea with their inspiring 21 Peaks in 21 Days expedition in Nelson Lakes, to the lows of a young kea killed by a student at a South Island ski field. Other
Fairfax
articles include updates on use of kea repellents on sheep in central Otago, kea deaths by electrocution and tourists fleeced by feathered thieves at Arthur’s Pass! For a full range of published articles over the past year as well as details of the stories below please visit our website.
24 July 2012
School to help kea conServation
A Christchurch School and student will take action to help conserve kea to make amends for actions that led to the death of a bird at Porter Heights Ski Area last week. At a meeting with Department of Conservation staff in Christchurch today, the boy handed over the dead bird and apologised for his actions. Chisnallwood Intermediate School has pledged to initiate a whole-of-school project on kea as part of a conservation education programme, as well as investigate assembling the wooden parts of stoat traps as part of their science and technology classes. The stoat traps will assist with predator control work being undertaken by DOC at Arthur’s Pass. The student will give a presentation on kea to the school, as well as assisting local DOC staff with a project during Conservation Week in September. Stewart said that the Department did not intend to take the matter any further. “We are comfortable that
3 News, NZN 30 July 2012
everyone involved has learnt a valuable lesson.” “Kea are New Zealand’s only alpine parrot and they are endangered. They need all of our help to give them the best chance of survival. Treat them with respect and don’t feed them.”
kea repellent ShowS promiSe
High country farmers may soon be spraying their precious sheep with kea repellent and motorists will do the same to their cars. Conservation groups are looking at non-toxic repellents to put the endangered kea – notorious for attacking sheep – off the stock as a food source and being a pest to farmers. It is estimated there are less than 5000 kea – the world’s only alpine parrot – left in the wild. Kea Conservation Trust chairwoman Tamsin Orr-Walker says initial results are looking promising following the first field trial on a farm near Queenstown last month. A sprayed flock had been out for 40 days and none were
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killed, although they showed signs of kea landing on them, she told NZ Newswire. But it appeared the kea had turned their attention to a nearby, untreated flock and there could have been up to 40 deaths there, she said. Kea will land on merinos – which go into a state of torpor when snow-bound – and peck around the kidney area, which is high in fat. It is hoped the birds will be put off eating the sheep because they feel queasy as soon as they start pecking at the wool. The researchers are also looking at the possibility the spray could be applied to tents and cars, as kea are also notorious for attacking and tearing bits off parked cars in mountain passes. Surface repellent trials will start next month.
Photo: Corey Mosen