For the past few weeks, Kauila and Kinohi have been receiving some rather special treatment. Both birds are ‘alala, or Hawaiian crows, a species which is so critically threatened that it has become extinct in the wild. Fortunately, captive populations reside at the San Diego Zoo’s Keauhou and Maui Bird Conservation Centers in Hawaii, where every possible effort is being made to improve the future for the species.

With just over 50 birds in existence, it is essential to preserve as much genetic diversity as possible within the captive flock. One way to do this is to ensure that every ‘alala has the opportunity to contribute to the gene pool, with greatest value assigned to birds whose genes are least represented.

Unfortunately, neither Kauila (pictured above) nor Kinohi have ever bred. It would be fair to say that both males have shown little talent for wooing their prospective mates. Yet their genes have great value - not just now, but also in the future. So it was a natural progression to seek the expertise of Dr. Barbara Durrant, Head of Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology at CRES.

Under Dr. Durrant’s guidance, staff at the Maui Bird Conservation Center have been trained in the fine art of massage. Staff are stroking the abdomen and cloaca of Kauila and Kinohi in an attempt to obtain sperm samples. It is hoped that their sperm can be used for artificial insemination of females whose reproductive cycle makes them suitable recipients and whose genes make an appropriate pairing. In the meantime, it is hoped that the ‘alala sperm can be banked in the Frozen Zoo, to be thawed out when needed.

That is the goal. The first of many challenges is to actually acquire the sperm sample, and this requires practice, for both bird and staff! But for the moment, Kauila and Kinohi don’t seem to mind all the attention.

Richard Switzer is a Research Fellow for the Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program

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