U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Awards Funds to Aid Critically Endangered Hawaiian Bird Species

Through a national competitive process to recognize successful recovery projects, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has selected the San Diego Zoo’s Hawaiian Endangered Bird Conservation Program (HEBCP) to receive a special allocation of funds to support efforts to save endangered bird species native to the Hawaiian Islands. More than one third of all American birds listed under the Endangered Species Act are native to Hawaii. Of the eight bird species represented in HEBCP, almost all are considered to be critically endangered and represent some of the most endangered bird species in North America.

“We are pleased to be able to support the San Diego Zoo’s efforts to propagate some of the rarest of Hawaii’s remaining forest birds,” said Patrick Leonard, field supervisor for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Islands office. “In some cases, particularly for the 'alala (pictured at right), their work is crucial not only to the recovery but also the survival of the species.”

The $238,000 award completes the funding necessary for an additional year of operations for HEBCP's Keauhou and Maui bird conservation centers.

“The ongoing commitment of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Hawaii’s congressional delegation, led by Senator Inouye, in support of our efforts is significant,” said Alan Lieberman, director of HEBCP. “With this type of support we have successfully created captive populations of several bird species that were close to the brink of extinction and, working with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we have begun reintroduction efforts for the puaiohi, palila, and nene.”