Kea Proofing Kill Traps

$858 of $10,000 goal

Given by 10 generous donors in around 4 months

Kea are being killed by traps that are in place to catch the stoats that predate on them. Urgent funding is needed to build kea proof traps.

Southland

Kea are not only being maimed and killed in high numbers annually by introduced predators such as stoats and possums but also by the traps used to control these predators. Kea are very curious and highly motivated to investigate new objects in their environment – including traps and baits. Reports of kea being found dead in DOC 150/200 traps around the South Island (7 within the Murchison mountains most recently) have resulted in the need to upgrade existing traps to prevent kea getting into them. However, keeping kea out of traps can be difficult and expensive. This fund will provide the money to build kea proof trap boxes and purchase and install materials to kea proof existing traps – the screws, brackets and other materials needed to save our inquisitive and endangered mountain parrot.

Kea are ground nesters. As such they are vulnerable to predation during their breeding period. Results of research on kea productivity shows low numbers (<2%) of fledglings produced from nests during beech mast events in areas where there is minimal or no pest control deployed, versus high productivity (>98%) in areas where extensive pest control (traps and baits) is used.

However, the benefit of using pest control may be offset when poorly-deployed pest control devices are used, or used without taking into account additional risk factors, resulting in the unintentional by-kill or injury of kea.

Photo: Mat Goodman

Kea Conservation Trust's involvement (page creator)

The Kea Conservation Trust was set up in 2006 to assist in conservation of wild Kea (Nestor notabilis) in their natural habitat and to increase the husbandry standards and advocacy potential of those Kea held in captive facilities within New Zealand.