Bird Brigade
The translocation of endangered populations of birds from one island in the Northwestern Hawaiian archipelago to another has been years in the making.
And, as recent storms and rising seas pose ever greater threats to the native ranges of the birds, the relocation of dozens of ‘ekepu‘u (Laysan finch) last year and palihoa (Nihoa finch) this summer came none too soon.
For the ‘ekepu‘u, it was the second translocation to be carried out, with the first occurring nearly 60 years ago, when a population was established on Manawai. The fact that the Manawai population is now itself in need of a new home tells you all you need to know about the race to keep these birds safe in the face of mounting threats posed by an ever-changing climate.
