James

James was banded on Anzac Day in 2021 in Arthur's Pass village as a fledgling, along with Stovey and Hitch. James is named after the son of 'Stuff' Cameraman Iain who was filming a documentary about kea. Unfortunately, James had to immediately be taken to the South Island Wildlife Hospital for care and treatment due to really high levels of lead in his blood. 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.