Hawaiian Bird Program Continues in the Face of Volcanic Eruption

April 14, 2008

Kilauea Volcano on the island of Hawai`i continues to cause seismic tremors, lava flow and toxic gas emissions. Despite this threat, a few miles down the slope from the crater, members of the animal care staff at the San Diego Zoo’s Keauhou Bird Conservation Center continue their efforts to save endangered species.

"We are committed to saving these species,” said Alan Lieberman, conservation program manager for the Hawai`i Endangered Bird Conservation Program. “The 11 staff members working at the Center are keeping close watch on the threats caused by the volcano but are still doing their work.”

Although they are continuing their daily routine to care for the bird species, the animal care staff at the Center has also made preparations should Kilauea Volcano’s activity become an imminent threat.

“We have crates stacked up ready to fill with these birds if it becomes apparent we need to leave,” said Mr. Lieberman. “These are very delicate species, however, and any kind of move could potentially cause enough stress to cause them serious medical problems. Until there is an imminent threat we will continue to care for these birds at the Center.”

The Center breeds and raises six species representing some of Hawai`s most endangered birds. The species at the Center include a large breeding population of the critically endangered alala and palila as well as puaiohi and Maui parrotbill.

The breeding-and-release program is part of a collaborative effort undertaken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the U.S. Geological Survey and the San Diego Zoo to build a sustainable population of these birds in the wild.