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Until Next Year, Fallout Season!
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ʻUaʻu' kani and ʻUaʻu swimming on the pool, getting waterproof and ready for release.
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Happy Holidays from our team! We are officially at the end of Fallout Season, which means we survived our second influx of birds. Mid–October saw a big increase in the number of 'A'o / Newell’s Shearwaters and then it was time for the ʻUaʻu kani / Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and ʻUaʻu / Hawaiian Petrels. Like the 'A'o, ʻUaʻu kani are burrowers, but these bird's burrow are found along the coastline while the ʻUaʻu prefer the mountains. These species face the same threats as the 'A'o, but fledge at different times of the season.
In three short months, we admitted 279 individuals across these three species alone! Endangered 'A'o took the majority at 171 individuals, and we are thrilled to say that nearly 95% of 'A'o admitted for care made a full recovery and have since been successfully released. Mahalo nui to all that brought grounded seabirds to SOS Aid Stations this fall; those numbers wouldn't be possible without you!
While our high-volume Aid Stations have been brought down, all fire stations are equipped with a cardboard pet carrier for bird drop-offs in case you are unable to bring them to our facility in Wailua. Be sure to notify us if you do bring a bird to a fire station, as we do not check them daily outside of fallout season. |
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An ʻUaʻu kani patient, JEN393, on the pool.
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Did you know that once fledglings make it out to sea it will be several years before they return to their natal colonies on Kaua'i? At SOS, we work largely with pelagic seabirds, meaning species that live out at sea for a majority of their lives - flying inland only to breed or nest. Pelagic seabirds are equipped with features that allow them to live at sea for several years. This includes a salt gland that filters out the salt from seawater, allowing them to drink without becoming dehydrated. |
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Above: Koa'e kea chick, BSV291, upon intake. Below: BSV291 a few weeks into care, with flight feathers starting to grow in.
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This month we had an extra exciting patient release! This Koa'e kea / White-tailed Tropicbird came into SOS on August 13th at less than one week old. BSV291 was found after likely falling down the cliffside from his/her nest. Despite the tumble, upon intake she was uninjured, alert, and chirping for food.
We administered fluids to help with dehydration and provided supplemental heat to keep her temperature stable. Along with daily examinations, we closely monitored nutrition to keep up with her growth. A growing bird’s feeding plan can include 2+ fluids as well as 2+ feeds each day, depending on individual needs. (continued below) |
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BSV291 at release, flying out to sea.
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With nutrition in check, BSV291 started pooling on November 4th. Then, after a total of 93 days in care, she was released back into the wild on November 13th! This was the youngest Koa'e kea that we've hand-reared and been able to send off to sea in nearly 5 years.
Funding to support the care of Koa'e kea and other native birds that are not considered threatened or endangered can be difficult to obtain. If you would like to help SOS continue to grow and serve all native birds in need, you can locate our "Donate" button at the bottom of this newsletter. Mahalo for your support! |
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SOS Pool Yard and Exam Room/Patient Holding container (left), and transport carriers with birds being admitted for care (right).
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We’ve been operating out of our new location for a whole year! Time has flown by and we have made significant progress with additions, such as two new 12’ diameter conditioning pools (mahalo KIUC!) and a large outdoor pen for Hawaiian Geese / Nēnē. In addition to the expansion of patient housing, this location has allowed our patients to have a quieter environment throughout recovery which reduces their overall stress.
However, there is still much work to be done! We have to keep looking towards the future if we hope to maintain high-level care while meeting the growing demand for our work. We are still operating out of modified shipping containers, and as we continue to settle in, we are setting our sights on future steps to bring a purpose-built native wildlife hospital and education center to Kaua'i. Stay tuned; we look forward to taking you on this journey with us! |
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Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager, Jacqueline, leads KNWRC staff through the process of administering subcutaneous fluids.
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This past month, SOS provided Avian Botulism triage training for Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex staff. Our Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager, Jacqueline, led the training session, walking Refuge staff through treatment protocols which include the administration of subcutaneous fluids and intramuscular injections.
But what is Avian Botulism? For starters, the type of botulism that birds can contract does not affect humans. It happens through the ingestion of a naturally occurring bacterium commonly found in soils and aquatic sediments. Hot, wet, anaerobic environments are favorable for growth. When consumed, it can make birds sick, and often results in various stages of paralysis. With the proper treatment and care, birds can return to full health and be back on their way into the wild. Botulism outbreaks can occur any time of year as environmental factors change. Luckily the team at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge continually monitors for outbreaks on KNWRC properties. A big thank you to the team at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge for providing lifesaving, immediate stabilization of patients prior to transport to SOS! We couldn’t do this work without them! |
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Kauai Independent Food Bank
Did you know that Kaua'i Independent Food Back accepts perishable items? Non-perishable items are needed most, but if you have produce that would otherwise go to waste, be sure to keep them in mind! SOS has been bringing our surplus of starfruit from our site! The food bank is located at 3285 Waapa Rd, Lihue.
Mauna Loa Eruption
For many in Hawai'i, the eruption of Mauna Loa on Big Island holds a deep cultural significance. The eruption took place on November 27th, which coincided with Lā Kū'oko'a, Hawaiian Independence Day. Mauna Loa’s eruption is also symbolic of the Hawaiian mythology of Pele, goddess of fire and the creator of the Hawaiian islands. Check out these articles to learn more! KHON2, NBC News, Washington Post |
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SOS is an Unincorporated Nonprofit Association and fiscally sponsored by the Hawai'i Wildlife Center, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.
As the only Federal and State permitted wildlife facility on Kaua‘i, Save Our Shearwaters provides life-saving care to Hawai'i’s native birds in need. When you donate, you help us continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife. Mahalo nui loa from all of us at SOS (our feathered friends included)!
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