Project: The Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program run by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, operates the Keauhou and Maui Bird Conservation Centers, where propagation and reintroduction programmes for Hawaiian forest birds, including the critically endangered ‘alala (Hawaiian Crow) are ongoing. This work is part of a long-standing partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

 

Role:  I took over management of the HEBCP in 2014. At each facility, a team of research associates led by a research coordinator undertakes crucial husbandry and propagation activities. Bird staff are also involved in fieldwork in the Alakai Natural Area Reserve on Kauai and the northern slopes of Mauna Kea at Puu Mali. Here we engage in post-release monitoring of captive-bred birds that have been released into protected habitat to augment wild populations. The Keauhou Bird Conservation Center, located outside the town of Volcano on the Big Island, is situated on 155 acres generously leased as a donation from Kamehameha Schools. This center includes 18 ‘alala aviary buildings, as well as two forest bird barns and a main building with offices, a veterinary clinic, and a suite of incubation and hand-rearing rooms. Two-thirds of the world’s population of ‘alala reside here, along with captive flocks of puaiohi, palila, Maui parrotbills, and visiting wild nene. The Maui Bird Conservation Center, located in Olinda, sits at nearly 4,000 feet in elevation on the slopes of Haleakala Volcano. Originally constructed as a low-security prison, it has continued to evolve as a successful bird propagation facility with two forest bird barns, nene pens, and dedicated ‘alala aviaries, including four new buildings that can house up to 24 birds. During my tenure overseeing this programme, I focused on fundraising, partnership development, facility and staff development. I visited both centers quarterly, ensured contractors were on track to deliver new aviary buildings and ran a strategic planning exercise with staff from both centers. I worked closely to develop staff opportunities and initiate a new project in Kuaui, and wrote grant proposals to raise the funding to gain the green light to begin wild reintrioductions of the Alala to restores habitat areas.