Endangered Species Propagation Challenges
Posted at 8:41 am August 16, 2006 by A. Tracey Goltz
The `alala captive breeding program has had its ups and downs over the years (see a previous blog, Massages for ‘Alala). In the most recent years, we have hatched anywhere from 2 to 12 chicks in one season. The flock of `alala has grown from 14 birds in 1996 to a current population of 53 birds; nearly 400 percent growth in 10 years!
After experiencing such reproductive highs and lows over the years, the staff of the Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program/CRES find themselves searching for reasons why some years so few babies hatch and other years we hatch so many more. Unfortunately, at this time we have few answers. Over the course of the breeding season, as we candle eggs with abnormal shells and membranes, document early embryonic deaths, and witness chicks that pip through the shell but then are unable to hatch because of malpositions (improper position of the chick in the shell), we are constantly reminded that we are dealing with a small population of highly inbred birds.
This season began with one especially heart-wrenching case: Akamai’s first egg of the year. This egg was artificially incubated at the program’s facilities on the Big Island. It was a great-looking egg, good shell and membranes. We tracked the embryo’s development over 22 days of incubation. On the 23rd day, during candling, we saw that the chick had moved into the aircell of the egg and was breathing air and tapping on the inside of the shell. For some reason, the chick was unable to break through the shell. We “pipped” the shell for the chick, making a small hole in the shell where the tip of its beak was tapping. The chick was then able to use the hole as a starting point to begin its rotation around the top of the egg. Over the next seven hours we watched as the chick broke through the shell, making the path around the egg that usually takes a normal chick no more than an hour to accomplish. The chick finally hatched with a little help from staff. It quickly became obvious why this chick was having such a hard time hatching on its own: it was missing its right eye and its beak was severely deformed (see image above). Its feeding response was poor and general attitude was weak. This chick only lived for a couple of days after hatching.
Due to these types of congenital abnormalities, we continue to attempt to “outbreed” the captive flock (i.e., make the best genetic matches) to improve the genetic health of the flock. In 2006, we are pleased to report that we did hatch and rear three healthy `alala chicks: two males and one female. We cherish the healthy chicks, however few they may be!
A. Tracey Goltz is a research animal coordinator for the Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program/CRES.
Read more blogs from Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program staff.
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October 13th, 2006 at 10:01 am
Mahalo for your good work on behalf of the alala. Is the alala still being kept at both Olinda and Keauhou? I am in the process of writing a chapter book for 3rd-6th graders about the plight of the alala. Could someone please give me an update of the overall outlook for the species? What are the prospects of releasing any alala into the Kona Forest Unit of the “Hakalau Preserve”? Is fencing and predator/pest removal underway there? Is there an opportunity for volunteerism in this cause? Is there any projected timetable for reintroducing birds to their natural habitat? What can be done to compensate for the lack of a wild population to pass on customs of foraging, scouting and group defenses against ‘io (Hawaiian Hawks), etc…? I would really appreciate being able to dialogue with someone about these and many more questions. Mahalo, again, for your onipa’a for this glorious manu!
October 20th, 2006 at 12:06 pm
Hello Kekai,
Thanks for enthusiastic interest in the status of the ‘alala. We currently have ‘alala housed at both the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center (Volcano) and the Maui Bird Conservation Center (Makawao). We are very hopeful that suitable habitat will be available for a release of these magnificent birds back to their native habitat in the near future. I would encourage you to contact our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu Office if you have questions regarding available lands that are suitable for ‘alala releases. You can view the Draft Recovery Plan for the ‘alala online at: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plans/2003/031218b.pdf.
The Keauhou Bird Conservation Center in Volcano on the Big Island will be having an open house on the 19th of November. Please let me know if you are interested in attending as there is limited space and you need to make a reservation for a tour.
Thanks again for your support by educating the next generation!