Native Birds Released into Hawaiian Forest as San Diego Zoo Conservation Efforts Pay Off

September 12, 2007

The San Diego Zoo's Hawaiian bird conservation efforts are adding to wildlife population on the Big Island of Hawaii with the first release of endangered native Hawaii creepers. The two birds were released today into an area called Kipuka 21 as state officials and other groups strive to showcase the unique native ecology of Hawaii.

A kipuka is an island of vegetation that lies between streams of cooled lava. This unique environment contains a rich variety of vegetation and harbors many endangered native animal species. Kipuka 21 has been the focus of an effort, led by the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife and aided by volunteers, to offer visitors an accessible and increasingly pristine native Hawaii environment. Fencing has been put around Kipuka 21 to prevent pigs from damaging the area, and hiking trails are being added to allow access to the casual walker. Additional plans are to rid the area of non-indigenous animals such as cats, rats, and mongooses and to add to the native plants that already populate Kipuka 21.

To assist in making the Kipuka 21 environment more complete, the Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program is releasing two bird species native to Hawaii, the Hawaii `akepa and the Hawaii creeper, both species from the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center. An additional release of Hawaii creepers will happen later this month, with two Hawaii `akepa releases occurring shortly thereafter.

"These two species are the smallest birds we have worked with, but in the long run may have the greatest impact. That they will be able to be seen by the public in this renewed native habitat will make them widely known ambassadors for Hawaii's natural heritage," said Alan Lieberman, the Zoological Society of San Diego's conservation program manager for the Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program.

The two species of birds were probably native to the area in the past, but have not been seen there for several years. Much of their decline is due to invasive predators, but with the new safeguards to the habitat, the scientists believe the birds will likely thrive.

The Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program is a breeding and release program and is part of a collaborative effort undertaken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Zoological Society of San Diego to build a sustainable population of these birds in the wild.

More

News archives:
Hawaiian Forests are the Most Threatened Bird Habitats in the United States
Breeding Success of Endangered Hawaiian Bird Brings Smallest 'Akepa Ever Hatched

Blogs:
Read blogs about the Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program