Stovey

Stovey was banded on Anzac Day in 2021 in Arthur's Pass village as a juvenile, along with James and Hitch. Stovey is named after Dave Stove, who was a teacher in Arthur's Pass in the 1970's and 1980's, a long standing APA Committee member and chair person. As chair of the APA he pushed for the kea statue to be installed. Sadly, he died not long before it was unveiled. Unfortunately, Stovey had to immediately be taken to the South Island Wildlife Hospital for care and treatment due to 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.