references
K E A C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T: PROJECTS 2014/2015
Over the past year, the KCT has driven a number of field and advocacy projects aimed at increasing understanding of kea status and threats. This last year we completed a 6th nest monitoring stint in Nelson Lakes and added a 5th monitoring site at Otira. We extended our predator control at Nelson Lakes to protect a record number of adult females in the area and, as a possible reflection of these efforts, saw a record number of chicks fledge. We extended our summer survey census work into the Kaikoura Mountains, the most eastern bastion of kea, and we developed two interpretation panels for the Arthur’s Pass area to alert the public to high risk situations. This year we saw even more people engage with us through our new website and we doubled the number of likes on our Facebook page. None of this of course could have been possible without the support of our sponsors, supporters and volunteers – we hope you will all join us for another productive year of kea conservation in 2014/2015.
Winter Advocacy Tour
Tamsin Orr-Walker Funded by Dulux and Department of Conservation (and the generosity of many lovely people!)
Our 7th South Island Winter Advocacy Tour ran from 23 June – 2 July 2014. During that time Tamsin Orr-Walker (KCT Chair) visited 11 locations across the South Island and spoke to over 270 adults and almost 1,500 school students. The tour theme, “Conflict – impacts and solutions” was chosen due to increasing conflict events arising between residents in the Motueka/Kaiteriteri/Tasman areas and kea. The tour’s aim was to 1) increase awareness of global human-wildlife conflict (HWC) and more specifically the Motueka communities’ issues with kea and 2) brainstorm possible methods of resolution with other communities around the South Island. Tamsin picked up a Department of Conservation (DOC) vehicle in Christchurch on the Monday and headed straight up to Kaikoura, followed by Nelson, Motueka, Nelson Lakes, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Invercargill, Te Anau, Dunedin, Christchurch (to drop off the vehicle) and finally back to Queenstown.
Brainstorming of possible conflict causes and resolution methods started off with a hiss and a roar in Kaikoura where an hour of very positive and lively discussions followed the talk. Dr Larry Field also provided some excellent ideas for student research after the tour. The second event in Motueka generated quite a different atmosphere, with a total of 60 people attending the three-and-ahalf hour talk and post discussion. 10
Although there were some very strong opinions expressed regarding removal of kea, it was clear that the community was divided as to how much of a problem they saw in the birds. One Kaiteriteri member voiced strong concern about the lack of community consultation during the recent kea relocation. His property (which he had spent considerable effort kea proofing) was regularly visited by eight birds, and he was upset that they had been moved
Photo: Corey Mosen