Rebecca Manzi Five Hawaiian crows, known as ʻalalā, have been released on the island of Maui after being bred in captivity for more than two decades due to their extinction in the wild
@Department of Land and Natural Resources
The release of five Hawaiian crows, known as ʻalalā, on Maui marks a major milestone in the conservation of Hawaiian ecosystems. The species, extinct in the wild since 2002, has been captive-bred for more than two decades.
This is the first time the ʻalalā has been released to the wild outside its historical range on the Big Island. It was released in the Kīpahulu Forest Reserve on Haleakalā with two males and three females, very carefully selected.
The young birds were selected based on their high social and behavioral scores, which enhance their opportunity to successfully cooperate, adapt, and survive in the wild. Besides, Maui is a better place as compared to the Big Island because it doesn’t have Hawaiian hawks, natural predators of the ʻalalā.
ʻAlalā are considered guardian spirits
This project came to be through a collaboration of various organizations that include the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Megan Owen, the vice president of Conservation Science at the latter organization, described the release as “a monumental milestone in the fight to reverse biodiversity loss.
To many native Hawaiians, the ʻalalā embody their aumākua-or spirits of guardianship. They represent ancestral spirits, guardians of the forest, and preservers of culture for people such as Keanini Aarona, an avian specialist from Hawaii. The release represents a milestone not only in ecology but also as a symbolic action to maintain the relationship between people and the environment.
Outlook shines bright after past setbacks
Despite earlier reintroduction efforts on the Big Island proving unsuccessful, the team is hopeful that Maui’s more favorable conditions and the careful selection of well-prepared individuals will make a difference. The ʻalalā have been raised to retain their wild instincts, improving their foraging abilities, predator resilience, and social interactions.
Ongoing are the monitoring efforts, supplemental feeding, and regular health checks. While the results of this initiative will unfold over time, the team is optimistic that these birds will adapt to their new environment, explore their surroundings, and rediscover what it means to live in the wild.
