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Protecting kea
About kea
The endangered kea is one of the most intelligent birds in the world. There is estimated to be only 1000-5000 left in New Zealand and their conservation status is classified as Threatened–Nationally Endangered (i.e. facing high risk of extinction in the short term). Some of the main threats to kea in our environment are predation (by stoats, feral cats, possums, rats), poisoning (from lead nails/flashings, bait stations etc), unsuitable ground-based trapping devices, avian diseases, deliberate killing, and accidents with human objects (cars etc).
We know we have kea regularly visiting Lake Kaniere. Here are a few things you can do to help them live safely in our environment.
Report sightings of kea
We know they visit but we don’t know how often they are here, how many there are and where they like to hang out.
One way to get this information is to record every sighting on the Kea Database – this helps build a picture of their visits for researchers and our local trapping operation (i.e. times of the year, how many are seen and who they are (if you can get close enough to take a picture of their band).
Be careful with traps
If you are thinking about installing a trap or bait station, check first to see if it's kea safe – some traps are kea safe and others aren't.
Keep kea safe and protect your property from damage
Learn how to:
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keep kea safe while they are visiting
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discourage their visits
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minimise any damaging behaviour they might do to your property.
You can also contact the Kea Conservation Trust for more help and ideas (please share these ideas with the community as well).
Want to learn more about kea?
If you want to find out more about these amazing birds and conservation efforts to protect them, check out:
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