2008-10-08 06:48:08 - In a country renowned for its safety, it is a shock to find there is a rogue killer parrot on the loose in the high country of New Zealand.

New Zealand is known globally for its breath taking scenery and safety in the bush. A place where you can wander happily without the fear of some dangerous species lurking in the shadows. Now however, there's a deadly killer lurking in the shadow of the majestic Southern Alps.

The owner of a 20,000 ha of high-country sheep station, next to the

Mt Cook national park, Ross Ivey, looks over his shoulder in fear, as he rides across his property. A rogue Killer Parrot is on the loose. A killer who prefers its food live. Several days ago Ross found one of his sheep had died from blood poisoning. The kea had pecked through the skin of the sheep and eaten a kidney.

Only one of the few alpine parrots in the world, the kea was granted protection in 1986, as only 1000 - 5000 still live in the high-country Alps, of the South Island of New Zealand. Federated Farmers high country spokesman, Donald Aubrey, said, "Kea attacks have long been a hazard for high-country farmers".

Keas are extremely mischievous and inquisitive birds by nature. They have are proven to be able to solve logical puzzles, such as pulling or pushing objects, so as to be able to get to food. They have been also known to work in teams, so as to arrive at a particular objective. Keas frequently pick the rubber seal from around windshields on parked cars. They are counted as being the most intelligent of the bird species.

Farmers can no longer protect their flocks of sheep, by shooting rogue keas. Understanding this, the Killer Parrot squawks in loud raucous delight. It now has its own private pantry. Acres and acres of wonderful live-meals-on-the-hoof.

Some suggestions are that the only solution to the feathered quandary, is to grab the Killer Parrot and move it elsewhere. "With the intelligence of the Killer Parrot and the ruggedness of the terrain, it is more than possible the kea will find its way back to its living stock of food, no matter how far away it is transferred", says Ross Ivey.

Ross and the other farmers are fated to having to live with the problem and keep a watchful eye on their flocks, until the situation can be sorted out.

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Dr Wendy and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation, (youmesupport.org), providing high school education grants to kids who will never have the opportunity for an education without outside assistance. You can find out more information at Win a Resort, (winaresort.com).