(Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual - Kea Conservation Trust

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Limited access enclosures are useful for holding of kea where birds are less able
to cope with direct human presence in their enclosure. This may be particularly
true of older wild sourced birds, or non breeding pair-bonds.
Limited access enclosures allow for unobstructed views of the enclosure while
containing public access to one area of the enclosure by use of a solid barrier
system. Birds get the benefit of the extra space the public viewing offers when the
public are absent (particularly at night when kea are active).
Pros:
• Allows public easy viewing with
no mesh between public and
birds
• Cost effective method of public
immersion
• Provides increased space for the
kea
• Safe for birds which may be less
tolerant of public presence
• Easy to construct on existing
enclosures with minimal
disturbance to birds
• Allows for great encounters with
the public (e.g. An alternative to
free flight)
Kea enclosure with limited public access
at Paradise Valley Springs, Paradise
Valley, 2009
Cons:
• Public access may need to be monitored as with walk through enclosures
(i.e. maximum numbers in larger holdings)
• Potential issues relating to territorial behaviour. This would need to be
assessed on an individual basis
• Potential transfer/introduction of disease
Traditional aviaries are those which do not allow any human access into
enclosures. They are appropriate for valuable breeding pairs which will have little
desire for interaction with the public and may also be territorial during the
reproductive season.
Traditional aviaries do not generally enable an interactive exhibit for the public
unless kea are provided with good enrichment opportunities. Excellent signage
and/or interactive interpretation will increase visitor interest in these cases (i.e.
encouraging observation and describing what they are seeing in the enclosure
and why).
Pros:
• Assuming best practice standards are followed, these aviary types are
good for housing valuable breeding pairs
Cons:
• Difficult to provide an interactive experience for the public
Kea Conservation Trust Final 25/11/2010