references
KEA IN THE NEWS…
Over the past year, there have been at least 20 news articles and radio and TV interviews which we hope show a growing interest and awareness of kea by the New Zealand media and public. Here are a couple of our favourites which give
Bill Benfield, Dominion post, Martinborough
an indication of the changing views of people, as well as the changing range and behaviour of kea in the South Island. Full articles (as well as radio and TV links) can be accessed via our website (Kea in the News in the menu).
5 April 2014
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
OPINION: Now we’ve saved the whales, it is time to save the kea. I think all those involved ought to be congratulated for their work to apply the brakes to the Japanese whaling industry. With that victory substantially won, it’s now time for us to look at a truly endangered species, our kea. They are the victim of the greatest single government-driven eradication programme of an endemic bird anywhere in the world. In 1930, the bounty was reduced from 5/- a beak to 2/6. In the five years before that more than 20,000 birds were killed. The bounty only ceased in 1971 after the loss of around 150,000 birds. The population has since collapsed to only a few thousand birds. Now that we are well on the path to saving the whale, will Greenpeace and others come forward to save the kea?
The News – Hurunui, Kaikoura, Waimakariri 11 September 2014
KEA RETURNING TO HANMER SPRINGS CAUSE A BIT OF A FLUTTER
Kea are returning to Hanmer Springs prompting reports of some mischievous behaviour and warnings not to feed them. A couple of visiting kea living in the forest around Conical Hill near Hanmer Springs are a source of both delight and exasperation for locals with properties bordering the reserve. The Department of Conservation has received reports of kea ripping into items with their sharp beaks and causing damage to personal property. Tamsin Orr-Walker, chair of the Kea Conservation Trust (KCT), says it’s encouraging to see the world’s only alpine parrot, of which there are only about 5000 left in the world, making a comeback as they have been a rare sight in Hanmer Springs. “However, they can cause problems in areas where people are not used to them. We are working with communities to help them live in harmony with these fully protected birds” she says… The KCT is working on a plan which is expected to be launched later this month to support communities to work more positively with kea.
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Photo: Corey Mosen