Gretel

Hansel and Gretel were both banded as fledglings at Arthur's Pass Village on 01 March 2021. Gretel was taken in for treatment at the South Island Wildlife Hospital for lead poisoning. She will have several weeks of chelation treatment before being declared "lead-free" and being released near Arthur's Pass. Gretel will be in good company - her buddy Hansel is also in for lead poisoning treatment. They will be looked after exceptionally well by the amazing team at the South Island Wildlife Hospital in Christchurch getting lots of stimulation and activity during their stay. Please keep an eye out for Hansel and Gretel and report any sightings into the sightings database so we can keep track of how they're doing once they are released. The Arthur's Pass community is working on removing lead from key buildings in Arthur's Pass village where kea eat the lead (which tastes sweet to them) and accumulates in their body. Hopefully in a few more years, no more kea will need to be treated for lead poisoning. If you wish to donate to this lead removal project, please contact the Arthur's Pass Wildlife Trust or the Kea Conservation Trust to make a donation.