In a range of tests at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch, kea worked out that choosing a particular coloured token always led to a food reward, and even managed to learn which of their rangers was most likely to pick the token they wanted. —-Rachel Thomas, RNZ 4 March 2020
Killing an intelligent bird
By Roger Childs
A kea before 1080. (Clyde Graf photo)
These recent tests back up earlier research on the intelligence of these friendly but mischievous birds. However, like all avian creatures they are vulnerable to poison drops.
Kea have been killed in significant numbers by 1080 drops for decades. Ian Bradford recalls Kea in Nelson Lakes: “In my early years in Nelson Lakes National Park, I spent a lot of time on the tops. It was quite common for flocks of 20 or more Kea circling above us. As 1080 drops became prevalent Kea numbers reduced dramatically. For about twenty five years we did not see a single Kea.”
A kea after 1080.
In 2015 the Department of Conservation (DoC) announced that: Since 2008, 155 Kea have been monitored during ten 1080 operations. Of which 20 (13%) died after the toxin drop. (Reported in The Press.) Then in early 2016 DoC carried out drops in the Kepler area and the Kea population on Mt Luxmore, which was usually 6–12, dropped to just the occasional one.
And now in early March 2020 there is more official bad news. This follows a 1080 drop on 11-12 February over the Matukituki Valley in the Mt Aspiring National Park.
“… the Dept of Conservation announced that 6 out of 12 radio-tagged Kea have been found to have died, which means that 50% of ALL Kea in the area are likely to have been killed too.” –Carol Sawyer
Kea thrive in unpoisoned areas
Carol also comments on the birds’ success in areas where DoC hasn’t dropped the lethal green pellets.
The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation … banded 44 Kea in the Mid Burn valley. The Mid Burn is straight across Lake Te Anau from the Te Anau Downs boat harbour… These figures come from one of the Kea Survey party. I am told they will not have been able to band all the Kea in the valley, and that there could be up to 100 Kea in that area alone.
Compare that with Mt Luxmore (mentioned above), after a 1080 drop. And on the Kepler Track near the upper Forest Burn bivouac, a construction worker who was cutting the track about 30 years spoke of many Kea being around. He remarked that you couldn’t leave anything outside! But sadly there are no Kea there anymore.
DoC claims that 1080 drops are necessary to kill pests and save our birds. The tragic reality is that although some rats, possums, stoats and ferrets are poisoned, birds in large numbers, as well the insects they feed on, are amongst the casualties.
Roger – I echo your sentiments entirely.
The more opposition there is to 1080, the more obdurate the organisations using become… I can’t see an end to it until one of the major parties recognises the significance of the anti 1080 vote.
This is a tragedy
I am a weaver and wonder what will happen to those beautiful feathers
Do they go back to the iwi or can an application be submitted for these from other iwi
Look forward to a response
Gloria Taituha
Poururuku Raranga
Te Wananga o Aotearoa
What the government is allowing to happen throughout New Zealand with the poisoning program of blanket covering everywhere even over our waterways with 1080 and killing everything ,and it dose kill everything is as I see it , it is the lowest form of insane ,disgusting leadership we could have ,but sad to say none of the larger governments would be any different so all of us anti 1080 protesters are really between a rock and a hard place for bringing any change.
Save the Kea foundation excellent, NZ Rail and NZCMA combining to protect our native birds is all good stuff but bringing DOC into the mix is not good as I believe DOC with their 1080 are killing more birds and more than they will ever admit to or save by using what has been banned in most other countries on earth.
Look at New Conservative’s policy on 1080. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. They’re the only party with the courage to do what’s right.
So very sad, what is happening to Wildlife and especially Kea, when those who are meant to be protecting them, make terrible decisions. There has to be a big change please!!!!!
Reblogged this on Rangitikei Environmental Health Watch.
For the animals of this Earth, it’s an Eternal Treblinka….
I spend time in an area surrounded by National park where prior to a 1080 drop some years ago, I would always encounter a single kea. Now, some years later, there are not only several kea around (13 in a flock one time!!) but bellbirds, tui, kereru, fantails etc etc in numbers that they were not prior to 1080. I hunt there, and one of the saddest things I see are feral cats. Released, I surmise, by people who likely would say they are concerned for the native birds. Yes, I do not like that some deer etc are killed. However, I know from personal experience, the damage to NZ forest that all the introduced mammals have, so despite being aware that 1080 does kill some, I also see that until an alternative (trapping isn’t, over large mountainous areas) method to control the predators (and browsers) then NZ has no alternative but to use 1080, IF we really are genuine about saving the birds, lizards insects etc that are being decimated in most of NZ native forest.
The report by Jan Wright into 1080 (google PCE 1080) is really worth reading if ( and I understand that some do not) you want an objective, scientific but easy to read input into the how and why of 1080.
Jan wright ,came on TV and publicly stated that 1080 was no more Harmull than a cup a tea,and broke down into salt N vinegar chips
1080 a man made synthetic compound,the 3rd most deadly poison in the world.
It is unbelievable that a person of her world standing,did not do any checks before voicing docs propaganda bullshit.
I think you misunderstood, Christopher. There is a clip of Kevin Hackwell saying that the BREAKDOWN PRODUCTS of 1080 (not 1080 itself) are no more harmful than salt and vinegar. Maybe that’s what you are thinking of. To find out Jan Wright’s views on 1080, read the PCE 2011 study on 1080.
Vincent…You are obviously not an output contract trapper, nor do you know any output trapping contractors.
There are trappers that will guarantee the results that 1080 is supposed to be getting, and is not, as is evidenced by Elliot and Kemp admitting that aerial 1080 is failing over at least 30% of the area it is used.
Output contracting means the trapper doesn’t get paid unless the desired result is achieved, this means that there is no financial risk, in the event of failure, and money is only spent where successful results are achieved.
The underlying argument isn’t about methods of wild animal control, it is about political and financial control, with the aerial poisoning industry not being able to control working environments, if there was a truly fair, transparent and competitive tendering system.
The aerial 1080 industry would not be able to compete with output contracting, under a competitive tendering system, and because there are so many national and local body politicians that have their political and financial fingers in the 1080 pie, we find ourselves in the position of having to prove corruption, at the highest levels, in order for common sense to prevail, sometime in the future.
A bushman has a bond of love and respect for the land and animals, does no tolerate wounded or tortured,and would certainly hate the blanket spraying of 1080 pellets the waste and destruction that follows.1080 has not saved 1 single bird,it kills them in the thousands .anyone wants to know about Kea just needs to follow posts from some of the locals post 1080 drops they have gone from100s to single
IN MY OPINION NATIVE BIRDS WILL BECOME EXTINCT BECAUSE OF 1080.,
Well there’s no surprises there… DOC are making foolish decisions and this is the consequence… it’s not easy living with fools!
Well there’s no surprises there! DOC are contniuing to make ‘foolish’ decisions and this is the consequence. Its hard living with fools and watching them destroy your home and our creatures natural habitat.
Would you please post links to your source material
Carol Sawyer says the material for the article came from a number of sources — which particular bit are you concerned with? Try this link: https://www.facebook.com/carol.sawyer.3511/posts/2599559486991028
Why cannot members of the public form a group to fight this 1080? As for feral cats nd other introduced animals why not create a bounty system for hunters so they go out and shoot them?
I think you misunderstood, Christopher. There is a clip of Kevin Hackwell saying that the BREAKDOWN PRODUCTS of 1080 (not 1080 itself) are no more harmful than salt and vinegar. Maybe that’s what you are thinking of. To find out Jan Wright’s views on 1080, read the PCE 2011 study on 1080.
I was not mistaken,every word that I stated is true.
As for keen hackwell, a totally biased pro 1080 poisoner, who needs to get out from behind his desk,take a walk in a poisoned forest to see with his own eyes the damage 1080 does.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/tiakina-nga-manu/tiakina-nga-manu-monitoring-results/kea/
L
Imagine being that wrong