Joyous day for ‘Alala in Hawaii
The raucous calls of the “Alala is heard this month on Maui, its ancestral home. The Hawaiian Crow went extinct in the wild in 2002.
The last release of 2016-2020 at Pu‘u Maka‘ala National Forest Reserve where its numbers declined and reintroduction efforts were paused, managed to return for care.
Two young females and three males with United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and San Diego Zoo were involved in this release on or about Dec. 5.
A ceremony was given on this joyous occasion by native Hawaiians in ceremonial dress.
‘Alala were each fitted with two transmitters, radio and satellite when they were released to the field team for translocation. The hope is for multiple groups of individuals to be established.
The future young will be guided by the original five to make their journey as easy as possible at Kipahulu Forest Reserve, the first outside of Hawaii Island. No Hawaiian Hawk will endanger them on Maui.
The birds were settled on the edge of wet forest, with even wetter forest nearby, with more native fruit and plants that ‘Alala are known to forage on. As important seed dispersers they are playing an ecological role suitable for ecological forests and be able to locate their favorite foods and engage in normal behavior without predator threats.
Field Supervisors of Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project advised that part of the strategy on releasing juvenile cohorts is to use group adhesion to their advantage to associate and pair bond. They have time to work as a team and eventually learn territoriality.
Avian Recovery Specialists of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance believes they will emulate the lead bird and learn together. The birds are in good health, have proper conditions for building flight muscles as they move through the trees easily instead of in an aviary setting.
While in the field, aviary, health and wellbeing were constantly monitored, especially looking for stress signals. They were viewed for alertness, responsiveness, bright attitude, sudden personality changes, as well as a physical health from bill to vent.
Just prior to the field team release for translocation, one of the two females showed distress signs, requiring examination. Her keel was assessed, fat level checked, joints palpated, and transmitter pressure points on backpack were also observed. She was fine other than weight loss, which they are known for, and behavioral changes.
‘Alala are cultural and biological resources, playing a tremendous role in Hawaiian culture. Just like in the forest, everything functions in tandem.
The big goal will be challenges to overcome, and the ‘Alala team is working to get the birds back on track with this translocation, which will be a cause for celebration. The new habitat is the home that they deserve, as they were so near extinction.
It was an emotional moment for the team, after caring for these five chosen crows daily for months, giving them the best chance for success.
