Captive breeding-programm for the Kiwikiu

Great Argus said:
Wow, that's an unexpected move. Very few Hawaiian animals leave the islands, these would be the only Hawaiian honeycreepers in mainland zoos in many years.
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I suppose this is a move born of necessity because of avian malaria rather than anything else but I think it is ultimately a very prudent decision that has been made

Worth mentioning (though it is obvious) that this also really does highlight the importance of zoos for ex-situ conservation.
 
Looks like a good list of the 3 so far mentioned to which the want to transport too. I wonder if perhaps when the program kicks off in the 3 institutions regarding successful breedings, that perhaps other zoos will get some for BTS breeding like San Diego or Bronx can keep some for assurance. Maybe not since they still belong to the government of Hawaii and perhaps the regulations for the transfer prohibits it. Anyways, that’s amazing news and shows off that everyone needs to be a team player when it comes to conservation!
 
Julio C Castro said:
Looks like a good list of the 3 so far mentioned to which the want to transport too. I wonder if perhaps when the program kicks off in the 3 institutions regarding successful breedings, that perhaps other zoos will get some for BTS breeding like San Diego or Bronx can keep some for assurance. Maybe not since they still belong to the government of Hawaii and perhaps the regulations for the transfer prohibits it. Anyways, that’s amazing news and shows off that everyone needs to be a team player when it comes to conservation!
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I agree with you that an insurance population within zoos would be a very prudent idea and I'm sure that they will try to implement this.

Hopefully you will get to see some of these amazing birds in the future !

Totally agree amazing news !
 
Julio C Castro said:
Looks like a good list of the 3 so far mentioned to which the want to transport too. I wonder if perhaps when the program kicks off in the 3 institutions regarding successful breedings, that perhaps other zoos will get some for BTS breeding like San Diego or Bronx can keep some for assurance. Maybe not since they still belong to the government of Hawaii and perhaps the regulations for the transfer prohibits it. Anyways, that’s amazing news and shows off that everyone needs to be a team player when it comes to conservation!
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I was surprised San Diego wasn't one of the three, given they work with the Hawaiian Crow already. Besides their participation with Guam Kingfisher, Guam Rail, and Mariana Fruit Dove.
 
Great Argus said:
I was surprised San Diego wasn't one of the three, given they work with the Hawaiian Crow already. Besides their participation with Guam Kingfisher, Guam Rail, and Mariana Fruit Dove.
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That’s what I thought too, SD reference their work with the Alala and it seems to be part of their Conservation Hubs program currently with the Alala being the prominent specie they work with in Hawaii. My guess is that they will also include San Diego when they actually closer to transfer but maybe not since lots of red tape can bar them. However I find it odd they wouldn’t be amongst their prime candidates. I’m just glad we get to have assurance colonies here in the states and that’s a step forward :)
 
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San Diego actually keeps this species already at an offsite facility in Hawaii. I would guess this is probably an April Fool's prank, Hawaiian birds rarely leave the islands because they are too susceptible to avian malaria.
 
birdsandbats said:
San Diego actually keeps this species already at an offsite facility in Hawaii. I would guess this is probably an April Fool's prank, Hawaiian birds rarely leave the islands because they are too susceptible to avian malaria.
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I don’t think it’s a April Fools prank because the article is prior to that day but who knows, it looks it was published in March 27th. Wouldn’t shipping some out of Hawaii to BTS breeding facilities as the ones aforementioned be tested rigorously for avian malaria before and after in quarantine? I thought it was only a disease mostly seen in tropical areas.
 
birdsandbats said:
San Diego actually keeps this species already at an offsite facility in Hawaii. I would guess this is probably an April Fool's prank, Hawaiian birds rarely leave the islands because they are too susceptible to avian malaria.
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That would be an incredibly elaborate April Fool's prank. o_O

Its hardly something that would be worth making a prank about either as it isn't even funny :confused:
 
birdsandbats said:
San Diego actually keeps this species already at an offsite facility in Hawaii. I would guess this is probably an April Fool's prank, Hawaiian birds rarely leave the islands because they are too susceptible to avian malaria.
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Ah I see the article now (I couldn't read it before for some reason). It seems they no longer think Maui is safe for them? If that's the case I should go see these birds when they go on exhibit, as I may not have another opportunity ever again...
 
I hope it succeeds.

Actually, conservation of Hawaiian honeycreepers appears rather neglected when one considers that Hawaii are part of the USA with its enormous resources of money, of zoos and of birdwatchers. One could imagine every species might have dedicated breeding aviaires and a plan for it.
 
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