Kea are dying of lead poisoning.
Nationwide
Once upon a time there was a girl called Sharlotte. She loved animals, and was fascinated by kea when she saw them at Rob Roy glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand. For 18 wonderful years I was fortunate enough to be able to call Sharlotte my wife.
Very sadly, Sharlotte died of cancer in 2018, aged 41. She is greatly missed. Thanks to DOC and the Kea Conservation Trust, a kea has been named in Sharlotte's memory. 'Kea Sharlotte' is out there somewhere in Fiordland, but a test result showed that unfortunately she has very high levels of lead in her blood, which will threaten her survival. Lead is a toxic heavy metal, and is present throughout the kea habitat, in roof flashings, paint, nail heads etc.
Hopefully Kea Sharlotte can be recaptured for treatment (please keep a look out for her if you're in Fiordland - she has a band with a black letter 'G' on a green background on her leg).
I'm trying to raise funds so that a kea with lead poisoning can be treated and released back into the wild to live a normal life. It might not be Kea Sharlotte, but if we can help one of these beautiful, endangered birds to survive, then it will be a fitting memorial for (my) Sharlotte, and something that I know would have made her happy.
I'd like to help a kea needing treatment for lead poisoning.
January 2020 8 January 2020
Happy New Year!
My Givealittle page has now closed for donations, with the total at $2,273. Although I didn't reach the revised $3,000 target, it's still $773 more than my original target, so I am very happy with how the appeal has gone. My sincere thanks to you all for your kind donations. I still intend to reach $3,000 towards helping kea with lead poisoning, which I will do by selling off some more of Sharlotte's effects. I think this page will remain visible, so I will update again when I hit $3,000.
Best wishes
Ed Stainsby
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.