projects - kea conservation

New Zealand Kea Conservation Project

New Zealand’s beautiful landscape is a biodiversity hotspot containing many plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. The flora and fauna of New Zealand evolved in geographic isolation without the presence of terrestrial mammals (the only native mammals were bats.) Many birds had adapted to take advantage of the ecological niches left vacant. The arrival of humans with their introduced species had a devastating effect on the native wildlife. One of these species is the kea.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden cares for the largest collection of kea in North America (11 of the 41 present in AZA accredited institutions) and is committed to the conservation of this species. The Saving Species Campaign supports the efforts of the Kea Conservation Trust to conserve wild kea in their natural habitat and increase the husbandry standards and advocacy potential of kea held in captive facilities. Projects include comprehensive population research (inclusive of satellite and VHF radio tracking, nest monitoring, screening for disease and lead poisoning, etc.), removal of lead products from kea habitat, development of kea repellents, and implementation of the Arthurs Pass Community Kea Conservation Pilot Project. This project will examine the status of kea in the village area, develop an education/advocacy program directed towards residents, students and visitors to the area, identify conflict issues present, and identify solutions to resolve these conflicts.