GPS tracker trial on kea (Nestor notabilis) at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Understanding the drivers for the seasonal movements of kea at landscape scales is critical to their conservation. Recent developments and increasing use of Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers prompted a small-scale trial on kea (Nestor notabilis) in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park during October 2021 to February 2022. We attached a solar charged Druid Debut Lego™ tracker to four birds: two nesting females, a juvenile male and a recently fledged male. One tracker, with a raised solar panel, transmitted data by 3G cell phone network and the others sent data by 2G GSM cell phone network. The two trackers with raised solar panels collected and transmitted substantially more data than the flush-mounted solar panels. Location data was mapped, and elevation, distances travelled, 24-hour movement patterns and activity behaviour were analysed. The limitations of these GPS trackers are discussed, and recommendations are made for future use of GPS trackers on kea where topographic shading, power consumption, satellite reception, and data transmission are likely to remain significant challenges.