It seems curiosity could be killing kea at an alarming rate. A number of the young endangered parrots have been squashed on the roads near Arthur Pass National Park.
And encounters with humans could be adding to the problem. Tamsin Orr-Walker from the Kea Conservation Trust told Checkpoint three had been run over in the last two weeks.
"That's a very high number."
As well, kea continued to die in the area mainly because they came into contact with people and accidents happened, she said.
Kea, which were highly inquisitive, were being attracted into the Arthurs Pass village, and if they were given food rewards, they would be encouraged to spend more time there because they did not have to forage for food in the wild.
"The message we're very keen to get out here is not to feed kea - they're a wild animal" - Tamsin Orr-Walker
Orr-Walker's organisation worked with communities around the South Island where kea had become a problem, and in every case issues had arisen after someone started feeding the birds.
"The message we're very keen to get out here is not to feed kea - they're a wild animal. We're very fortunate to be able to interact with them in our environment but just to keep those interactions at a distance and that's mainly to keep those birds safe."
Numbers were down to 3000 to 7000 in the wild, Orr-Walker said.
"We need to do everything we can to work with communities such as Arthurs Pass to keep them protected."
Another threat to kea was lead in buildings (via lead flashings and nail heads) which they liked to eat because it was sweet, however, it was also poisonous for them to consume.
A large project has begun which has been funded through Jobs for Nature to de-lead communities including at Arthurs Pass.
But more funds were needed for non-toxic materials to replace the lead so that builders and roofers could continue a free service to do the work, Orr-Walker said.
Communities visited by kea can apply to the Kea Conservation Trust to have the work done.
Photo: Cole Yeoman