A very unique bird
The kea is a species of large parrot in the family (Nestoridae) found in the forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand.
Parrots are more normally associated with forests…The New Zealand Kea, is the world’s only alpine parrot is known as the ‘Clown of the Alps’ to South Islanders; and has recently been heralded as the world’s smartest bird (its intelligence rivals a monkey’s) says the Institute of Cognitive Biology in Vienna.
Keas have a “dark side”
The kea have been known to attack sheep…. In 2002 Department of Conservation took the unusual action to shoot a kea that was killing sheep…..
“The Department of Conservation (DOC) shot a kea that was killing a Queenstown Lakes farmer’s sheep.
DOC issued itself and the unnamed farmer two permits to kill the endangered alpine parrot in 2009 and 2011. One kea was shot dead in 2009, according to information contained in an Official Information Act reply.
Both permits were labelled “Authority to destroy absolutely protected wildlife” and show there are exceptions to “absolute protection” – the highest level of wildlife conservation in this country.
Authority for the permit comes from the Wildlife Act, which allows DOC to permit destruction of animals that damage or injure “any stock or crops or … any chattel or … other wildlife”.
“Inquisitive, intelligent, bold—kea find humans and their cast-offs every bit as intriguing as we find them. But our relationship with these cocky mountain parrots has not always been so cordial. For over a century, farmers slaughtered kea in their thousands in retribution for their attacks on sheep. Only now, with changes in high-country management and new insights into kea behaviour, are we learning to live with this spirited bird.” – Philip Temple, New Zealand Geographic magazine.
Keas threats and conservation
Kea are a unique and endangered parrot (psittacine) species endemic to the Southern Alps of New Zealand. They are one of three parrot species which evolved in isolation over millions of years, playing an important role as alpine seed distributors and ‘cleaners’ and are highly valued as one of the most intelligent bird species in the world.
Sources: https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/118782768/department-of-conservation-killed-kea-attacking-sheep ; https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/kea-the-feisty-parrot/
