THE KEA.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18802, 25 November 1932, Page 4

THE KEA.

WITNESS TO ITS HABITS. MENACE TO SHEEP. There is an old story of the Irish trial, in which two witnesses swore to having seen the accused kill a man, but a dozen came up who swore that they had not seen the deed. The weight of evidence being in favour of the accused, he was discharged. Much of the evidence about the kea’s habits has a similar foundation, states the Christchurch Press.

The following evidence contained in a letter received by the secretary of the Marlborough Sheepowners' Federation, from Mr Jackson, on the Leathern Station, Wairau Valley, should be useful to those whose minds are sufficiently open to accept real facts: — 1

"Lately I have noticed one or two articles In the daily papers on the destructive nature of the kea, and I too, would like to voice my opinion on the matter, as I consider that too much cannot be said as regards this very grave menace to the back country sheep farmer. Personally, I would prefer, ‘if the matter were left to my discretion,’ to pay double rent and be free of the kea’s activities.

“This may raise the question as to why this extra rental could not be used to fight, the kea, but I would like to point out that this country and other sheep runs as well have thousands of acres of untenanted Crown lands adjoining them, which makes it Impossible for one man to deal with the situation. There is not only the actual loss through death rate to contend with, but large areas of good grazing country are rendered useless. Sheep simply will not graze in areas where keas are bad. Proof Positive.

"I have put sheep out in certain places and have watched to find the reason why they refused to stop in that particular locality, apd have noticed that whenever a kea called the sheep ran into mobs and within a short time the whole lot would he out of it.. One bird was seen quite close to the homestead actually chasing a mob of ram? and hoggets in much the same way. as a young dog would do. This 'Same bird was responsible for four kills during the fortnight it took to get him. Since getting this bird no more hoggets have been killed on this block.

“During this winter I have had to camp out on three different occasions and have shot 20 keas, four out of the .20 being shot while actually on the freshly killed carcasses. All these keas were opened, and seventeen were found to have balls of wool in them, one with goat’s hair, and only two with grubs and berries. Goats Also Killed.

r 'On my last trip out I saw twelve goats killed'by keas. This was in one of the areas where the sheep had been driven out, so, evidently, the kea has taken to the goats. One kea was shot while sitting on a freshly killed goat. Putting it on a low estimate, I consider that I lose two hundred good wethers every year through keas, to say nothing of occasional hoggets killed near home.

"This, coupled with the loss of grazing country mentioned before, makes the matter one of great Importance to the high country farmer. I have watched the kea and his habits for some time now, and in my opinion his habits have altered considerably and will alter still more, particularly in areas where the Government deer cullers have been. With so many carcasses lying around skinned, all ready to eat, there will not be much need for the young birds to look for grubs and berries. However, I do not Wish to say anything as regards the habits of the kea other than this — that it has been proved beyond question oT doubt that he is a menace to the runholder in high country. “Surely something could be done by way of a subsidy, as there Is no shortage these days of capable men used to back country conditions, and who also fully appreciate the crying need for fighting this menace.