Honolulu Zoo welcomes Ka‘ipo, a red-footed booby with an amputated wing

A red-footed booby named Ka‘ipo is the newest resident at Honolulu Zoo, according to city officials.

Ka‘ipo comes to the zoo from Sea Life Park, where he was being rehabilitated after being found with an injured wing in the fall of 2017. Ka‘ipo was taken to Feather and Fur Animal Hospital for treatment, where his left wing had to be amputated due to a fracture.

Officials determined that the bird, unable to fly, could not safely be released back into the wild.

“This red-footed booby is a great addition to the zoo,” said Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos in a news release. “Plus, he’s just a really cool bird to look at and can help teach kids about migratory animals and the need to protect our environment.”

Sea Life Park donated Ka‘ipo to the Honolulu Zoo on March 21 to help spread awareness of the impacts of pollution on migratory species and the need to keep our oceans clean.

The red-footed booby (Sula sula) is a large waterbird with bright, red feet at adulthood, according to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They nest mainly on coral atolls or volcanic isles in tropical seas, but spend the rest of the time at sea and are spectacular divers. They feed on squids and fish and live 20 or more years in the wild.

While the birds are not endangered, their population is threatened by habitat loss.

It is rare to see red-footed boobies in captivity, according to the zoo. Ka‘ipo is friendly and has gravitated toward people. The bird is on exhibit at the koi pond at the entrance of the Keiki Zoo.