Daredevil kea score new playground in Arthur's Pass

Kea may get their own playground in Arthur's Pass to curb the alpine parrot's high death rate in the village.

The native birds have earned the ire of humans for their curious nature and penchant for damaging equipment and cars.

Their high population in Arthur's Pass, coupled with high tourist numbers, meant many were killed or injured there, Kea Conservation Trust chairwoman Tamsin Orr-Walker said.

Causes of death included ingesting rubber from cars, poisoning from eating old lead nails and roof flashings, and being shot, she said. "Most of the threats to kea are human-related. We also just had someone send us a photo of a kea caught in an illegal leg hold trap."

Another contributor to the death toll was "car surfing", where kea jumped on parked cars and rode them down Otira Gorge before flying off, Orr-Walker said.

Some kea were "not very successful" at it, particularly young birds, and hit the road when trying to dismount.

A kea playground would be a diversion from the risky activity and other mischief, Orr-Walker said.

"It would be fun for people to be able to see just what the birds are capable of and a really good educational opportunity [for visitors to Arthur's Pass] at the same time."

The Kea Conservation Trust first introduced kea playgrounds - metals frames with objects interesting to kea attached to them - in the top of the South Island last year.

They were trialled at two sites: In Nelson Lakes National Park, as a distraction during a Department of Conservation (DOC) 1080 poison drop, and a logging area in Motueka where kea were attacking machines, wiring, soft seating and radio equipment.

"Unfortunately it did not stop them from trashing [logging machinery] but we will definitely keep working on the concept," Orr-Walker said.

"We are hoping that DOC will get [the Arthur's Pass playground] up and running as soon as possible."

The trust was also working with DOC on a five to 10 year strategic plan for kea conservation in the South Island, she said.

Kea numbers in New Zealand plummeted after a bounty was put on their beaks last century. An estimated 150,000 birds were killed before it was lifted in 1971.

There are about 5000 left.