HABITS OF THE KEA

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 27, 1 February 1923, Page 3

HABITS OF THE KEA

Sir, —To remove any misapprebensibn that may be caused through the statement by Mr. J. Langridge, curator of the Wellington Zoo, as to the habits pf the kea and its sheep-killing • propensities, in which Mr. Langridge remarked to a "Post" reporter that the bird certainly seemed to possess no natural inclination for a flesh diet, I would point out that the conditions for keas in the Wellington Zoo are very different from, those obtaining in the bosh and on the I high country, where the keas' depreda : tions are a very serious addition to ,the many difficulties which have to be combated by the, high country run-holders. If Mr. Langridge should be in the South Island at any time, I should be glad if he would call at the office of the Sheepowners' Federation, when I can, I think, convince him of the destructive habits of these birds as regards sheep in the high country, and of the necessity for incessant vigilance and the use of every means possible by the high country sheep farmer to keep this undoubted menace in reasonable check. I would recommend Mr. Langridge to I [get into personal touch,with Mr. T. D. Burnett, M.P., during the session. He will, I am sure, be able to remove any doubts as to the reality of the kea menace.—l am, etc., j ■WM. H. NICHOLSON, Secretary Sheepowners' Federation. Christenurch, 29th January.