Historically (in the last 20 years) a large source of environmental lead to kea has been the lead ammunition used in tahr control. Across the kea range, this would account for a significant majority portion of the ammunition lead source.
DOC tahr control is now done with non-lead ammunition.
The issue with current levels of lead availability to kea from ammunition is poorly understood and there are many challenges.
https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/rur...r-control-work
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