HONOLULU 鈥� The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and State of Hawai鈥榠 Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife announced a final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a pilot release of 驶补濒补濒腻 (Hawaiian crow) on East Maui.
This announcement reflects the work of The 驶Alal膩 Project, a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service鈥檚 Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, State of Hawai鈥榠 Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
驶Al膩la is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and has been extinct in the wild since 2002. The 驶Alal膩 Project works to support the conservation and recovery of 鈥榓lal膩, so they can return to the wild and fulfill their ecological and cultural roles in the forests of Hawai鈥榠.
驶Alal膩 was historically found on the island of Hawai鈥檌 and currently survives only in captivity at two conservation breeding centers on Hawai鈥榠 Island and Maui. 驶Al膩la are important to Hawai驶i鈥檚 forests. The seeds they eat and disperse support native plants, and their release to East Maui would play an important role in the overall recovery of forest ecosystems.
In Hawaiian culture, 驶补濒补濒腻 are regarded as 驶aum膩kua (family guardian) and its cry was considered a warning not to enter certain places. 驶Alal膩 are included in the Kumulipo, the Native Hawaiian creation chant that details the emergence of all life forms. This acknowledgement is significant as it demonstrates the familial relationships and connections that Native Hawaiians continue to have with 鈥榓lal膩.
This multi-partner pilot release allows wildlife managers the opportunity to monitor and evaluate 驶补濒补濒腻 and its potential for survival and breeding in the forests of East Maui without risk of depredation by 鈥榠辞&苍产蝉辫;(Hawaiian hawk). In consideration of public comments that were given after two separate 30-day public comment periods, the Environmental Assessment provides background information on 鈥榓lal膩, outlines the proposed action, examines potential impacts, and explores strategies to avoid adverse impacts of the project on East Maui.
The Environmental Assessment also evaluates K墨pahulu Forest Reserve and Ko驶olau Forest Reserve as potential release sites and considers impacts to adjacent private and National Park Service lands. Partners involved in the coordination of the pilot release on East Maui are: Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, The 驶Alal膩 Project, University of Hawai驶i Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and Haleakal膩 National Park.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/pacificislands, or connect with us through any of these social media channels at , , or .
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