Rehabilitated nene released into Hawaii Island sanctuary

One had a toe injury. Another had a broken leg. A third nene (Hawaiian goose) had a wing amputated earlier this month, all three birds were released into the Hawaii Island Nene Sanctuary, on the lower slopes of Maunakea.

The 100-acre sanctuary was created to receive 600 Kauai nene that were relocated to Hawaii Island. Every year hundreds of the geese come here to mate, nest, and prepare their chicks for fledging. The three recently rehabilitated birds have joined a more permanent population of nene on a parcel of land that is landscaped just for them and where they can be observed integrating into an existing population and naturally foraging.

On Aug. 5, Juan Guerra, a veterinarian with the Hawaii Wildlife Center in Kapaau, drove two birds deemed well enough to return to the wild to the sanctuary.

“One had a toe injury that healed very well. I have a very good feeling that it’s going to do great in the wild. The other nene had a tough recovery after coming in with a broken leg. It was in our care for six-months and had multiple surgeries,” he said. “The bone has healed well, and I don’t think it’s going to affect the bird’s quality of life. The limp it has is more mechanical than painful, so I’m hopeful its injury will continue to heal and whatever discomfort it is having will be less over time.”

The third bird — the one with the amputated wing — was released two weeks later and is also expected to live out its life in the sanctuary with few problems.

When rehabilitated birds arrive at the sanctuary they are banded with a state and federal leg band to help caregivers and researchers keep track of them.

Raymond McGuire, a wildlife biologist with the Department of Land Natural Resources Division of Wildlife (DOFAW), oversees the sanctuary and on arrival day he bands birds and checks their overall health.

“For the nene who have been injured and probably would not survive in the wild, we have worked over the years to have this predator-proof sanctuary where they can survive and not be harassed by predators like cats and mongoose. They can still nest if they find a mate here, so they still contribute to the genetic diversity of the population,” he said, adding “we provide them habitat and forage in an area that’s safe for them to nest when they’re ready to build their own families, and it’s great we can release injured birds here. There are many facets of this area that benefit nene island wide.”

The first two birds, released earlier this month, spent their first hours waddling around, exploring the lush rolling hills and pasture lands that comprise the sanctuary.

Guerra describes the working relationship between the Hawaii Wildlife Center and DOFAW as priceless. “Together, we have an incredible team to respond to injured wildlife. When we get a call, we work together to get the animal the care it needs.”

Observing the two birds he helped release on Aug. 5 Guerra commented, “This is a renewal to my spirit. It’s our ultimate goal of getting birds back into their natural habitat. Seeing them here is great. I think this is the overall goal of conservation and we’re honored to play our small role in that.”

Nene become used to people, who often try to feed them. Habituation to humans leads to them getting hurt by golf balls, cars, off-leash dogs, and fishing line entanglements.