Nelson man sentenced for killing kea

A Nelson man has been sentenced to 200 hours’ community work for killing a kea.

The Department of Conservation has welcomed Robert Derek Aberson’s conviction on a charge of unlawfully hunting or killing absolutely protected wildlife.

He pleaded guilty in the Nelson District Court yesterday.

DOC acting Motueka operations manager Kath Inwood said harming kea and other protected native wildlife was unacceptable and DOC viewed such offences very seriously.

‘‘Kea are unique as the world’s only alpine parrot and they have a conservation status of nationally endangered,’’ Inwood said.

‘‘Their numbers today are estimated to be less than 5000, a fraction of what their numbers once were. These intelligent and inquisitive birds need our help to protect their species.’’

DOC prosecuted Aberson after he admitted shooting at kea on his property in August last year. He told DOC staff he had killed one of the kea with a .22 air rifle.

Aberson said he had shot at the kea because up to eight kea were causing damage at his property.

‘‘If people are concerned about kea behaviour around their properties they should contact the Department of Conservation or the Kea Conservation Trust,’’ said Inwood.

‘‘The Kea Conservation Trust has a Conflicts Resolution Co-ordinator based in Nelson Tasman and runs a programme to provide property owners with practical help on kea proofing property and how to avoid kea hanging around...’’

Information about solutions can be found on the Kea Conservation Trust website www.keaconservation.co.nz.