references
Two juvenile kea were found dead, potentially hit by a car, at Deaths Corner at the Viaduct Lookout in October. Road-associated injuries and deaths have become a serious issue in areas like Arthur’s Pass which sees high traffic numbers year round. Another two adult kea from Arthur’s Pass were found by kea researchers in November, with serious leg and pelvic injuries, and sent to Hornby vets in Christchurch for treatment. ‘Hobo”’ had one leg amputated and was released back into the area with a radio transmitter attached, to allow on-going monitoring. Injuries to the other kea were too severe and he unfortunately had to be euthanased. The KCT won the Unitec Research Symposium prize and $1000 for ‘Research with Impact’. KCT Trustee Dr Nigel Adams presented the paper: ‘The likely effect of introducing bird repellents to reduce mortality of kea during aerial 1080 poison drops to control stoats, possums and rat populations’, which Nigel co-authored with Tamsin Orr Walker, Dr Lorne Roberts (Unitec), Josh Kemp (DOC) and Eric Spurr (Landcare Research). Philip Temple made sure the kea was seen on the international stage at the Frankfurt book fair by wearing one of Kea Conservation Trust’s T-shirts. Philip’s classic kea novel Beak of the Moon will be published in German next year. Three new KCT education web-pages were launched on our website: Kea for Kids, School Groups and Kea Explorers. These aim to provide and encourage fun kea conservation activities for schools and children. Donations received: over $5000.
o C To b e r – n ov e m b e r
Photo: Raoul Schwing
A total of 9 chicks were observed in December over the 4 nest monitoring sites (a total area of around 25,000ha) down from 16 chicks and 5 eggs recorded between August and November. Wellington Zoo Keeper Sarah van Herpt accompanied KCT nest field worker Corey Mosen for the last of the nest monitoring in December. The 2013 kea summer survey was successfully run at Kiwi Saddle in Kahurangi National Park for 10 days in January thanks to support from a large volunteer pool this year. Only one female was caught (a recapture) and no fledglings were sighted. Donations received: $2636
d e C e m b e r – J a n ua ry 2012
f e b rua ry – m a rC h 2012
At least 5 kea and 1 New Zealand falcon died at an Alpine Energy substation at Mt Cook in February. Alpine Energy was contacted by both DOC and the KCT asking them to resolve the issue. In the meantime Corey Mosen (KCT/DOC) has applied some kea repellent mix around the area in an effort to dissuade any further interaction by curious kea. Flora Hut in Kahurangi National Park was made lead-free by the Nelson Tramping Club at the beginning of March. Twenty club members removed the roof including lead nails and replaced them with non-toxic screw fasteners. The hut is now looking much smarter and the keas are safer! Thanks to Nathan and Nigel Watson just under $10,000 was raised through donations from generous supporters during the ‘21 peaks in 21 days’ expedition. All donations have been earmarked to protect kea in Nelson Lakes from predation during the 2013 breeding season. Another 2 injured kea were sighted in Arthur’s Pass: Gaspode, a male with an injured leg who was caught up and released back into the wild after receiving treatment, and a juvenile unbanded female who had lost the entire top part of her beak, and is yet to be captured and assessed. A draft Strategic Plan for kea conservation was initiated with Department of Conservation. The aim of the document is to identify current understanding of kea and the threats they face and to direct research, advocacy and threat mitigation measures over the coming years. Donations received: $8,023
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