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12yo boy 'deliberately targeted' kea

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12yo boy 'deliberately targeted' kea

3News NZ

Kea (file)

Kea (file)

A Christchurch schoolboy who killed a kea by throwing stones at it deliberately targeted the bird, but will avoid a harsh punishment.

The 12-year-old, who was on a school trip with Chisnallwood Intermediate at Porters Ski Field, near Christchurch, threw stones at the rare bird on Friday.

Department of Conservation Arthur's Pass field centre supervisor Chris Stewart told Radio New Zealand the attack was deliberate.

However, it was unlikely any action would be taken against the boy or his school.

Only 5000 kea remain in New Zealand, and killing them is a crime under the Wildlife Act, punishable with a fine of up to $100,000 or six months in prison.

Chisnallwood Intermediate principal Richard Paton says the boy regrets his actions.

"I don't think there was anything specifically malicious about it," he told Fairfax.

"He threw the stone at the kea; it hit the kea and unfortunately the kea died."

Mr Paton was planning to meet with the boy's caregivers on Tuesday to arrange for him to do community work in the area of conservation.

The kea's body was being stored in the school's fridge, and would be handed over to DOC on Tuesday.

NZN

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Comments

3/11/2012 2:56:16 p.m.

James wrote:

I actually know both the teacher and student involved in the incident. The student is far from a serial killer, he was just a kid that made the mistake of throwing a rock at a bird, that none the less he would have known to be endangered let alone would die from the action. And the teacher cannot be standing over this one student this whole time in hoping that he wont throw a stone, it is completely unfair to punish and drag the teacher into this, you think if you had 30 or more students, one with a stone in his hand, that can easliy be consealed is hard to stop or control. Both the teacher and student no doubt regret the incident, but as the principal said i doubt this was a malicious act.

8/08/2012 3:37:33 p.m.

Ian Rist Australia wrote:

It amazes me that DOC aren't charged every day killing Kea with 1080 poison.

24/07/2012 8:12:30 p.m.

Erm... wrote:

The boy knew exactly what he was doing. As usual, the bleeding hearts will make sure he doesn't get punished. Then they will wonder why he next kills a cat, beats up classmates, robs banks... The best thing that could possibly happen to him is that he gets punished hard. Then he might become a useful member of society.

24/07/2012 6:28:28 p.m.

bukster wrote:

How can there be nothing malicious about this? It was obviously a deliberate act. I'm not suggesting the boy should face an adult penalty, but he is old enough to face real consequences. Keas are rare enough without things like this happening.

24/07/2012 2:32:03 p.m.

Mandy wrote:

We see it all too often and always there are excuses - at 12 the child should know right from wrong!

24/07/2012 1:26:30 p.m.

Jo wrote:

Come on the kid is 12, i think by that age you know if you target an animal with a stone you are going to cause pain at the very least so he should be held accountable, oh thats right we don't bother with that anymore in this country do we?

24/07/2012 12:37:42 p.m.

S wrote:

There needs to be consequences for actions - and the family of this boy need to step up and take responsibility for his actions too.

24/07/2012 12:07:30 p.m.

atrout wrote:

The killing of a bird is not more serious because it was a kea. Don't make the kid feel guilty for anything other than a spontaneous action devoid of thought. An adult would be a completely different matter. DoC and the media are blowing this out of proportion.

24/07/2012 9:54:24 a.m.

k wrote:

What a stupid statement. the kid threw a stone at a bird, and "deliberately targeted it". Well duh of course he targeted it, he threw a stone at it. Yet another rediculous eye opening headline. I am glad you can now "reveal" this information to us. "Look" I am against endangered birds being deliberately targeted and all that, but I am sure the boy had no idea of the severity of his actions. If anyone is to blame, it should be his parents and the school for not making him aware of how special these birds are before the trip.