The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance launched a ground-breaking effort to save Hawaiian crows - bringing five of these rare birds (known as alala) to Maui this wednesday
In a significant step for bird-conservation‚ these smart-minded creatures are exploring their new home-territory on Maui: its the first-ever release of alala on this specific island. The birds havent lived freely anywhere since early 2000s when the last wild ones disappeared from Big Island
These special birds - being the only remaining type of Hawaiian crow left - face several road-blocks to survival. Non-native animals hunt them down while new-world diseases affect their health (and finding good nesting spots gets harder each year)
The release marks a big-time moment for San Diego Zoo experts whoʼve worked hard to bring these birds back. Its a rare chance to see how these problem-solving birds will adapt to life on an island thats different from their original home; making this whole project extra special