Maui and San Diego Zoo Partner to Save Hawaii’s Wildlife

In a welcome breakthrough for Hawaii wildlife conservation, five Hawaiian crows (ʻalalā) have just been transferred from the Maui Bird Conservation Center (MBCC) to a temporary field aviary on Haleakalā. This marks the beginning of an important effort to return the species to the wild after years of absence outside captivity.

These birds, currently extinct in the wild but central to Native Hawaiian culture, will spend the next three to four weeks adapting to their temporary habitat before their release into the Kīpahulu Forest Reserve.

Located on the southeastern coast of Maui, the Kipahulu Forest Reserve is known for its rich biodiversity, towering ohia trees, and ferns. The area is part of the Haleakalā National Park, but because of its relative isolation and pristine native vegetation, it is considered ideal for reintroducing endangered species like the Hawaiian crow.

The combination of native plants and fewer natural predators hopefully offers a more favorable environment for the birds to acclimate and thrive.

Addressing past challenges in reintroducing the Hawaiian crow.

This pilot release on Maui follows prior attempts on the Big Island, which faced significant setbacks, including predation and habitat-related challenges. One of the major obstacles was predation by the native Hawaiian hawk, or ‘io, which impacted the survival rates of the released crows.

Other habitat issues, such as a lack of suitable forest conditions, also hindered previous efforts. Lessons learned from those attempts are now shaping the approach on Maui, where the absence of the ‘io and the availability of more suitable habitat offer renewed hope for success.

Dr. Hanna Mounce, manager of the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, highlighted the potential of Maui as a new frontier for the reintroduction of the ʻalalā: “We’re seeing if Maui’s forests can support these birds, and perhaps lead to larger recovery efforts.” This release aims to assess whether the conditions on Maui can provide a stable home for the ʻalalā, and if successful, it could lay the groundwork for future reintroduction projects elsewhere in Hawaii.

Cultural and environmental collaboration.

The significance of this reintroduction effort extends beyond scientific conservation. Before their transfer, the birds were honored with a Hawaiian pule (prayer), recognizing them as hulu kūpuna, or esteemed ancestors. This ceremony reflects the deep spiritual connection between the ʻalalā and the Hawaiian people, symbolizing the birds’ ecological role and cultural importance. The reintroduction effort is a blend of conservation science and cultural reverence, aiming to restore both the species and the ancestral ties they represent.

Monitoring for success.

Equipped with transmitters to track their movements, the ʻalalā will be closely monitored after their release to ensure their successful adaptation to the wild. Conservation teams will observe their behavior, habitat preferences, and environmental interactions to gather critical data that will inform future reintroduction efforts.

This project is a collaborative effort between the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the state’s DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Nature Conservancy. These organizations are working together to help the ʻalalā survive and inspire and engage future generations in conservation efforts.

This historic conservation initiative offers renewed hope for restoring Hawaii’s unique wildlife and rich cultural heritage. It symbolizes a crucial step toward preserving native species and deepening the cultural connection to the land.

Images courtesy State of Hawaii.