‘Akikiki was saved amid a looming extinction crisis in Hawai’i

On Friday, September 2, a critically endangered ‘Akikiki was transported by helicopter from a valley deep in the Alaka’i Plateau on the island of Kaua’i to the Maui Bird Conservation Center (MBCC), where 36 others of its species are confined.

Like several honeycreeper species from across Hawai’i, the ‘Akikiki is threatened by avian malaria, which is transmitted by non-native mosquitoes. In the past few years, the bird’s population has plummeted, mainly due to avian malaria. In April 2022, a report of federal experts In Hawaiian forest birds it is predicted that the species will disappear from the wild in the next few years, possibly as soon as 2023.

Recently, a five-member rescue team went to a field camp in a remote area of ​​Kaua’i in hopes of capturing any remaining ‘Akikiki to take into captivity.

The bird captured last week was named Carrot, for its orange leg band, and is the father of a chick, Erica, who was taken into human care in December. For 10 days, the field team set up mist nets and used sound attraction to try to release Carrot and another bird, its offspring. They are believed to be the last remaining ‘Akikiki in a place called Halehaha. While the team found Carrot’s offspring, they were unable to catch him.

A surprising decline in the number of ‘Akikiki was recorded last year at Halehaha, in the central highlands of Kaua’i. Biologists monitoring the area found that the population of more than 70 birds recorded in 2015 had dwindled to just five in 2021. As of June of this year, only two birds remained, both apparently males. Data from Halehaha, combined with data from other field sites on Kauaʻi where ʻAkikiki numbers appear to be more stable, suggest that Halehaha is currently unsafe for ʻAkikiki due to the presence of avian malaria.

Every bird is critical

Lisa “Cali” Crampton leads the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP). Asked if releasing a bird from its wild habitat to protect it from deadly avian malaria was a success, he said, “Absolutely! Even though these birds are more abundant, they are difficult to catch, especially in this season of the year when they don’t breed so don’t actively defend territories and respond to playback. So kudos to the team for getting one of the two guys we targeted.”

‘Akikiki, a native honey bee, found only on Kauai, experienced a dangerous decline as malaria-carrying mosquitoes moved into their territory, killing them one by one.

Crampton said, “It’s also important to remember that with only 40 birds left in the wild, every bird we can bring safely into captivity to protect them from avian malaria will give the species a better chance of not becoming extinct. Carrot is particularly important because he has a proven breeding track record, so hopefully he can teach some important behaviors to the captive-born ‘Akikiki.”

The field team consisted of KFBRP staff Justin Hite and Tyler Winter, along with Sonia Vallochia from the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, Cara Thow from the DLNR/PCSU Hawai’i Island avian disease program, and bird care expert Peter Luscomb got Carrot in the final hours of their week and a half long search and rescue mission.

After dawn, pilot Chris Currier of Airborne Aviation landed at the field camp to collect the bird, which had been housed overnight and for the helicopter trip to Maui, in a specially designed box. Currier said it was a real honor to be a part of the effort to try and save ‘Akikiki from extinction in the wild.

At Maui’s Kahului Airport, Jennifer Pribble and Brenden Scott with the MBCC, managed by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), came out to meet Currier the courier, and take Carrot to their Olinda facility. He became the 37th ‘Akikiki to safety there, where they will remain, as a large collection of agencies and organizations grapple with plans to introduce incompatible male mosquitoes into critical forest bird habitats to suppress the mosquito population and try and set-back the extinction clock. .

At MBBC, Carrot was given fluids, food, and antiviral medication. He underwent a thorough check-up before entering quarantine for the next 30 days.

How did Carrot, Erica, and Abby survive when Halehaha ‘Akikiki was gone? Crampton said, “It could be partly luck of the draw, like why some people still avoid COVID despite how widespread it is. It could be that their territory, which spans several ridges, gets a little more air and thus fewer mosquitoes? Or maybe they had avian malaria but were lucky enough to get a mild dose and survived.”

Sadly, other honeycreeper species on the islands are also in dire straits.

“The only thing more devastating than the sudden loss of ‘Akikiki over the past few years is realizing that the exact same thing is coming for the remaining Hawaiian honeycreepers in the near future,” commented Justin Hite, the KFBRP Field Supervisor. “At this point ‘Akikiki’s chances are dim…very sad. But the ‘Akeke’e and the ‘Anianiau need not suffer the same fate. They will, if we don’t act. That’s for sure.”

Extinction looms

Carrot’s rescue is good news but worrying in the knowledge that there is a high probability that the species will be extinct in the wild within a year, before other birds can be saved.

“We are very excited and humbled to have the opportunity to save the last few ‘Akikiki from near-certain death in the wild and prevent the complete extinction of the species. This decision is not easy to make; if possible we would prefer leave the species in the wild. But the loss of the Halehaha population, once the largest, does not bode well for the remaining birds, so at this point, the best course of action is to protect them in captivity until the mosquitoes and avian malaria. on the landscape for the next few years. After the disease threat is reduced, we plan to release ‘Akikiki back into the wild. So, this is a temporary situation,” Crampton explained.

Next spring, the partnership of KFBRP, SDZWA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Pacific Bird Conservation, and other partners hopes to conduct a mass ‘Akikiki search and rescue mission to bring in the last birds and their eggs to safety.

Crampton revealed, “It was an exciting moment, because we achieved our goal, but a very sad moment. I was lying in bed last night thinking about Abby, the remaining ‘Akikiki in Halehaha, wondering what would happen. here, if we ever see it, if we ever have another chance to try to catch it., trying to imagine Halehaha without ‘ Akikiki.”

Thanks to the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources for providing this news.

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