New Zealand Kea - Threats and Conservation
'The Circus'
Title: The Circus
Image size: 460x380mm
Original Availability: Sold
Giclee Prints Available: Yes
Image size: 460x380mm
Original Availability: Sold
Giclee Prints Available: Yes
Despite its entertaining behaviour and apparent number, the New Zealand Kea is declining and is classified as nationally endangered.
Mischievous and with an insatiable curiosity for food, shoelaces, car aerials, tyres and windscreen wipers, the kea can be both amusing and a nuisance! Their behaviour, and our part in it, is one factor in their decline. Feeding kea for example, whether intentionally or not, is detrimental to them. It stops kea looking for their own natural food sources so they develop a reliance on human food which isn't good for them: chocolate is actually poisonous. Kea can also die from ingesting lead found in roof flashings, nails and vehicle tyre weights. Other factors in the kea's decline are introduced predators and humans, through accidents, intentional killing and poisoning from the chemical 1080 which is used to eradicate their predators. The Kea Conservation Trust is dedicated to the conservation of this bird and has a strong community focus.
This painting shows a flock of kea, known as a Circus, happily exploring the contents of a walker's backpack; an entertaining sight, yet potentially detrimental for the kea, as well as the walker's lunch!
Mischievous and with an insatiable curiosity for food, shoelaces, car aerials, tyres and windscreen wipers, the kea can be both amusing and a nuisance! Their behaviour, and our part in it, is one factor in their decline. Feeding kea for example, whether intentionally or not, is detrimental to them. It stops kea looking for their own natural food sources so they develop a reliance on human food which isn't good for them: chocolate is actually poisonous. Kea can also die from ingesting lead found in roof flashings, nails and vehicle tyre weights. Other factors in the kea's decline are introduced predators and humans, through accidents, intentional killing and poisoning from the chemical 1080 which is used to eradicate their predators. The Kea Conservation Trust is dedicated to the conservation of this bird and has a strong community focus.
This painting shows a flock of kea, known as a Circus, happily exploring the contents of a walker's backpack; an entertaining sight, yet potentially detrimental for the kea, as well as the walker's lunch!