Full Breakdown
Expansion of the ‘Alala Flock on Maui
11/28/2025, 12:22:10 PM
Recent Translocation Efforts
In November 2025, two ‘alala (Hawaiian crows) were added to the wild flock on Maui as part of an ongoing conservation initiative. This follows a pilot project that began in November 2024, which successfully released five ‘alala into the forests of Maui. The recent translocation involved a male and female bird, which were introduced to the field aviary where the initial five birds were acclimatized. The translocation was celebrated with a send-off ceremony at the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP) campus in Olinda, attended by project partners including the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the University of Hawai‘i, and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR).
Cultural and Community Involvement
The ceremony featured a pule (blessing) led by Kekai Robinson from the Maui County Department of ‘Oiwi Resources, emphasizing the cultural significance of reintegrating the ‘alala into the community. Dr. Hanna Mounce, the MFBRP program director, expressed optimism about the new birds' integration into the existing flock, noting the importance of social cohesion among juvenile ‘alala as they learn essential survival skills together.
Acclimatization and Monitoring
Currently, the two new ‘alala are acclimating to their environment within the aviary, where they are strengthening their flight muscles and becoming familiar with supplemental feeder stations. These feeders, stocked daily with protein, fruits, and vegetables, provide crucial nutritional support until the birds can forage independently. The first five ‘alala have already begun utilizing additional feeders placed strategically in the forest, which helps keep the flock anchored in a manageable area for monitoring and care.
Conservation Impact and Future Prospects
The MFBRP team is closely observing the birds' adaptation to their wild habitat. Tess Hebebrand, an aviculture specialist with MFBRP, noted that the initial cohort is thriving and displaying natural behaviors, which bodes well for the future of the species. The addition of the two new birds is expected to enhance understanding of how the ‘alala adapt to life in the wild, informing future reintroduction efforts on Hawai‘i Island.
Dr. Mounce highlighted the significance of sustaining the ‘alala in the wild for over a year, viewing it as a meaningful milestone for conservation efforts in Hawai‘i. She expressed hope that this success would inspire confidence in the community regarding the potential for returning native species to their rightful places in the ecosystem.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Seeing the first five birds thriving after a full year in the forest and being there with them every day of that journey, has been not only extraordinary, but also gives us hope,” — Dr. Hanna Mounce, MFBRP Program Director
- “The cohort that was released last year is thriving and exhibiting a lot of natural behaviors,” — Tess Hebebrand, Aviculture Specialist, MFBRP
- “Sustaining these ‘alala in the wild for more than a year is an important accomplishment and a meaningful milestone for conservation in Hawai‘i. I hope it gives our community confidence that, with care and collaboration, we can return native species to their rightful place on the landscape and that is the kind of progress we should continue to pursue.” — Dr. Hanna Mounce, MFBRP Program Director
The ongoing efforts to expand the ‘alala flock reflect a commitment to conservation and community engagement, aiming to ensure the survival of this native species in its natural habitat.
