bonus365 Hawaiian crow that went extinct in the wild decades ago released on Maui

Hawaiian crows. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of San Diego Zoo

MAKAWAO, Hawaii — Five Hawaiian crows were released on Maui for the first time as part of an ongoing effort to return the species to its home, conservationists said.

The Hawaiian crows, or alala, were last found on Hawaii’s Big Island, but they went extinct in the wild in 2002, officials with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in a statement.

The birds, described as intelligent and charismatic, are the last survivor of all the Hawaiian crow species. Habitat loss, predation and disease by introduced species are threats, among other factors.

Article continues after this advertisement

The five Hawaiian crows were released on Maui on Wednesday, December 4.

FEATURED STORIES TECHNOLOGY Get TECNO's latest AI-powered PHANTOM V Flip 2 5G on its first sale for only PhP27,999 TECHNOLOGY Phishing scam uses Globe Telecom’s official SMS channel – CICC TECHNOLOGY Bitcoin price reaches $100,000 for the first time

“The translocation of alala to Maui is a monumental step forward in conserving the species and a testament to the importance of partnership in reversing biodiversity loss,” said Megan Owen, Ph.D., vice president of conservation science at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

READ: World’s rarest, most threatened migratory shorebird spotted in the Philippines

Article continues after this advertisement

The release is the result of years of preparation by multiple organizations and agencies, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the University of Hawaii, she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

The five alala released included two females and three males that spent months in a social group at Keauhou and Maui Bird conservation centers to establish strong bonds.

Article continues after this advertisement

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance evaluated the birds for the release based on how well they foraged for food and responded to predators.

READ: More than survival: New life in fight to preserve the Philippine eagle

Article continues after this advertisement

The birds were also assessed by veterinarians.

“It means a lot to me to care for the alala,” Keanini Aarona, avian recovery specialist at Maui Bird Conservation Center, said in the statement.

“To me, and in my culture, the alala are like our ancestors — our kūpuna. The forest wouldn’t be there without these birds.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Thirty of the birds were reintroduced between 2016 and 2020 in the Big Island’s Puu Makaala Natural Forest Reserve. After several successful years, alala numbers began to decline and reintroduction efforts were pausedbonus365, officials said. The remaining alala were returned to human care.

TOPICS: animal conservation, bird, Hawaii READ NEXT China creates chameleon-like camouflage for military, other uses European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses EDITORS' PICK Timor-Leste grants extradition request vs Teves for 2nd time Cargo vessel sinks off Isabela American vlogger died during abduction – PNP Palace ‘fellowship’: House assures Marcos vs ‘threats’ Pacquiao to make a comeback with 1-Pacman in his corner Child, 6 others killed in truck ramming in Cotabato town MOST READ DFA files yet another protest over Dec. 4 harassment of BFAR ship Baring Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings’ private convos by ex-GF poses legal issues American vlogger died during abduction – PNP Death from multiple-vehicle crash in QC rises to 4; truck driver nabbed Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• bonus365
• That
• went
• Hawaiian
• crow