Kea are cheeky birds, but Wānanga is cheekier than most. Only he would be brave enough among his feathered friends to hop up into the
caravan of a human friend. Laura is a researcher, studying the iconic Alpine Parrots found only in the Sth Island of New Zealand. She and her fellow researchers are worried. Kea’s are disappearing, and they are trying to learn why.
Wānanga is a particular favourite and is part of the study to learn more about them. Laura shoos him gently outside again, laughing at his antics.
To help learn more about Kea, many have coloured ankle bands to tell them apart. When Laura gets a phone call about Wānanga staggering along a road, she jumps into action. They must find Wānanga and another Kea that has been reported acting strangely.
A frantic search begins, along roads and bridges – everywhere! But Wānanga is found right outside a cafeteria in the local village. Was he trying to tell someone he was feeling sick?
A mercy dash to a vet is needed and a police officer is perfect for the job. With Wānanga bundled up and comfy inside a cage, they’re off!
‘Don’t forget to sing to him,’ Laura joked.
And that’s exactly what officer Scotty did, all the while worried whether he will get Wānanga to a vet in time.
Saving Wānanga is NZ Narrative non-fiction in picture book format – perfect for a story to be read to animal and bird lovers, or for readers 6+.
In 2017, Wānanga was seen being sick and the researchers knew he was in trouble. Lead poisoning from nail heads on bush huts was becoming more common, and is extremely dangerous to Kea’s health.
When the local police officer saw the distress of the researchers and their bird friend, he offered to take him to a vet in Christchurch.
See the New Zealand news item here.
Beautiful watercolour illustrations help tell the story of the sick Kea and singing policeman, capturing Wānanga’s cheeky nature and his journey back to health.
Kea are one of the smartest birds in the world and are now nationally endangered. If you see a Kea in the wild of the Sth Island on your travels or near your home, please take a photo and log it at www.keadatabase.nz
A wonderful story about one of NZ’s true treasures.
Author – Kris Herbert
Illustrator – Dïne
Picture Book
(2024, Potton & Burton, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Kea, Native Birds of NZ, South Island, Lead Poisoning, Endangered Species, Alpine Parrot, Rescue Mission, Mercy Dash, Singing Police Office, True Story, Narrative Non Fiction, Animals, Birds)