references
11 December 2012
Starring role for hamilton Zoo’S cheeky kea
One of Hamilton Zoo’s feathered friends is now the star of his very own book, proudly written by Zoo Keeper Kylie Martin. The children’s book Cheeky Charlie is aimed at five- to seven-year-olds and tells the story of Charlie the kea’s hatching, his special bond with zoo keeper Peter Smits
Megan Miller, Timaru Herald
and his silly kea antics. All proceeds from the book are going to the Kea Conservation Trust. Zoo keeper and now author, Kylie Martin has worked at Hamilton Zoo for seven years and is very excited about the story and the potential to raise money for such a worthwhile cause. “The Kea Conservation Trust do such amazing work trying to protect this special species and the funds raised will allow research to be conducted on issues that kea are currently facing.”
2 February 2013
fingerleSS thief filcheS touriSt’S dough
A thief stole hundreds of dollars from Peter Leach’s campervan, but left no fingerprints – because the thief has no fingers. Mr Leach, a visitor from Glasgow, Scotland, stopped at Arthur’s Pass on Wednesday to take in the views at a rest area along State Highway 73. He left the windows down as he snapped photos of the scenery, including one of an unusual bird on the ground near his vehicle. Little did he know he’d become a target for the local criminal element. “A Canadian couple walked by and said: ‘We’ve just seen that bird take something out of your campervan’,” Mr Leach laughed. “It took all the money I had. I was left with $40 in my pocket.” The unsuspecting tourist had stashed his travel cash – about NZ$1300 – in a small cloth drawstring bag and left it on the dashboard, where the bird apparently found it while rummaging through other items. The kea grabbed the bag and made a clean aerial getaway.
Photo: Andrius Pasukonis
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