Cardrona singer-songwriter Martin Curtis had been
entertaining school children with kea stories for years
before he learned about the Kea Conservation Trust and its
drive to save the endangered bird.
Then, earlier this year, a trust member approached Mr Curtis
following a recital of his Tale of Two Keas.
A film of his performance is now destined for the trust's
website and Mr Curtis is also supporting the trust's
lead-nail replacement programme this week by carrying out
roof maintenance at the New Zealand Alpine Club's 79-year-old
Cascade hut in the West Matukituki Valley.
Scientists say the birds eat the soft lead nails, which is a
problem, as lead is toxic to the birds.
Recent tests on the Mt Aspiring National Park population by
an Otago University student returned normal blood tests, but
the trust says it is important to act rather than wait for
birds to die.
Keas were hunted until protective laws were passed in the
1980s. Just 5000 are said to exist in the world - all in the
South Island - and the trust believes numbers are reducing.
"I just think they are wonderful birds. They've supposedly
been proved by scientists to be the most intelligent bird in
the world. You can see it in their faces, thinking 'What can
I do now'," Mr Curtis said.
His poem tells of the experience of a climber who banged a
broom on a hut ceiling to quieten two keas on the roof. The
birds then dangled upside down and peered through the window
to check on the commotion inside.
While Mr Curtis believes few keas now visit the Cascade hut,
the Department of Conservation has noticed a new gang of
trouble-making juveniles at the nearby Aspiring hut, where
they enjoy chewing on bicycle tyres or setting off stoat
traps.
The inquisitive native parrots also try to steal from
tourists at Rob Roy Glacier.
Doc biodiversity ranger Flo Gaud said while Mt Aspiring keas
seemed unaffected by lead, birds at Mt Cook and Arthurs Pass
had been poisoned. The reasons why were not entirely clear
but Doc and the Kea Conservation Trust had decided to work
together to replace old nails in all South Island tramping
huts.
Wanaka Placemakers donated the new nails being used by Mr
Curtis and his fellow roofer, Kenny Lang.
"In all the new huts, there are no more lead nails
whatsoever... what Martin is doing is amazing. I hope if any
other people are keen to do something similar, they contact
the Kea Conservation Trust," Ms Gaud said.
People could also help by not feeding keas, taking all
rubbish away so keas do not eat it and be alert to
kea-thieving.
"Chocolate is especially very toxic for the kea and people
may not realise this... Any kind of human food shouldn't be
given to the birds. Because they are so curious and
inquisitive you have to be very careful that they don't take
something off you."
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