Conservation group calls for action over declining kea numbers

Thursday, 15 September 2016

A conservation group hope a new interactive app would help preserve declining numbers of kea.

New Zealand's cheekiest bird could be in trouble as conservationists raise a red flag over declining kea numbers.

Routine checks of Hawdon Valley in the South Island's Arthur's Pass have revealed declining numbers of the protected species in recent years, prompting calls of action from local groups.

Kea are a protected species. They are the world's only alpine parrot, and one of the most intelligent birds.

Kea Conservation Trust volunteer Mark Brabyn, who has hiked through the area for the past 20 years, said the kea numbers were worrying.

'When people go through Arthur's Pass they think there are lots of them left because they are really inquisitive birds and like to be around people. But when you go up into the mountains, the numbers are really concerning.'

* Benefits to kea from 1080 operations uncertain

* DOC investigates kea killing report

* Kea ruffles residents' feathers in Marlborough**

Brabyn said a range of factors contributed to the fall in numbers, but one of the main concerns was predators – stoats in particular.

'Last year, all six of the kea nests in Hawdon Valley were destroyed by stoats. No new chicks survived.'

In the past few months, two of the areas main female breeders were also found dead.

'But predators aren't the only problem,' Brabyn said.

'There are also human threats. Kea get hit by cars, or are fed human food, which causes problems.'

Efforts had been made to limit predator numbers, but Brabyn said more needed to be done.

'Other native birds in New Zealand get a huge amount of funding, which is great. But kea don't get anywhere as much, even though in some cases they have lower numbers.'

It is estimated that up to 5000 kea are left in New Zealand.

'We don't want to wait until there is only a couple of hundred left to do something,' Brabyn said.

Brabyn and fellow Kea Conservation Trust volunteer Laura Young have spent the past six months working on a proposal to improve the outlook for the world's only alpine parrot.

The pair hoped that funds raised through a Givealittle page would help to put their plan to tag and track kea in place.

A website and app is being developed that would allow members of the public to enter a kea's tag number, and then record and track information about the bird.

'You would get to know the name, age and sex of the bird and then people would be able to upload photos and comments,' Brabyn said.

'[It] would give us such valuable information about numbers and how far they were travelling, and would raise awareness about the bird. People would be connecting and caring.'

In July, the Government announced its plan to make New Zealand predator-free by 2050.

It set up Predator Free New Zealand Limited to drive the programme alongside the private sector. That was on top of $60m to $80m already invested in pest control each year.

Department of Conservation communications advisor Jose Watson said the target was an ambitious but positive one.

'In a normal year, predators will attack up to 60 per cent of kea nests. On a mast year [when temperatures are warmer], that number rises to 99 per cent. The programme being proposed is a great idea and we really encourage anything that will raise awareness.'