Captive alala may be released to wild next year

HILO >> Hawaii wildlife officials say Hawaii’s native crow, the alala, could be reintroduced to the wild as early as next year.

The bird hasn’t been seen in the wild for about 13 years, but there are now 114 alala being raised in captivity, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Thursday.

According to a draft of the revised Wildlife Action Plan, 114 birds are enough to reintroduce the crows to Hawaii island’s forests. Hawaii Fish and Wildlife Chief Scott Fretz said more funding is needed for the reintroduction, which would include tracking, veterinary support and predator control.

He said the plan is to release the birds within the next five years at the Upper Kau Forest Reserve and the Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve.

Fretz said if the releases don’t occur soon, the Keauhou and Maui bird conservation centers, operated by the San Diego Zoo, will have to restrict breeding.

An attempt to reintroduce the alala in the 1990s was unsuccessful when the birds became susceptible to disease and predators. Of the 27 that were released, 21 died and the remaining six were recaptured.

Associated Press