The kea (Nestor notabilis) is the world's only alpine parrot and one of New Zealand's most intelligent native birds. Highly curious and playful, keas face welfare threats from lead poisoning from building materials, vehicle interactions, and persecution by farmers who blame them for livestock deaths.
Lead poisoning causes progressive neurological damage, ataxia, and death in keas that investigate and chew lead-containing materials on huts, ski lodges, and buildings throughout their range. Recovery from lead poisoning requires intensive veterinary treatment including chelation therapy, and permanent neurological damage is common in surviving birds. Keas hit by vehicles on mountain roads — where their curiosity draws them to parked cars — suffer traumatic injuries. Captive keas require complex cognitive enrichment and social housing due to their high intelligence, and welfare problems emerge rapidly in understimulating environments.