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usfwspacific · 6 years ago
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National Award Recognizes Efforts to Save Endangered Hawaiian Honeycreeper Species
Imagine taking a helicopter ride to an inaccessible area of high-elevation forest on Kaua’i, whose dense understory you must then hike through with a 40 foot ladder that weighs 100 pounds! The goal: collect delicate, tiny ‘akikiki eggs from the carefully balanced nests on the very tips of tree branches. Trying to prop this ladder on surrounding trees with a suspension system so it is safe for the crew to climb is a daunting task. Especially when these eggs are the future generation from fewer than 500 birds. Come rain or shine or severe weather, recovery teams fight hard against this bird’s extinction in the wild.
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A team of people carry a ladder through the dense forest. Photo by Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project
The endangered ‘akikiki is a species of Hawaiian honeycreeper found only on the island of Kaua‘i. This small bird species has been severely affected by introduced disease such as avian malaria, as well as loss of native forest habitat, hurricanes, and the introduction of non-native predator species in the wild.
After this collection phase, yet another breakthrough occurred. In addition to the fact that never before in history have ‘akikiki birds been raised in captivity, but they were only parent-raised (not hand-reared by scientists). This ensures that future generations will remain wild birds for their hopeful reintroduction to the forests. Thanks to San Diego Zoo Global’s successful care and development of new techniques, 45 ‘akikiki are currently thriving! This is the largest founding conservation breeding population of any native Hawaiian bird species.
So in 2018, when three tiny eggs hatched, and two of the hatches survived to independence, the survival of this species became a tangible hope.
Due to these two breakthroughs and the dedicated successes along the way, the entire Saving ‘Akikiki from Extinction Team was nationally recognized as a 2018 Recovery Champion by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for leadership in conservation of the endangered ʻakikiki. The Team has worked tirelessly to prevent the extinction of the rarest forest bird on the island of Kauaʻi, and persevered through numerous challenging obstacles to secure a population in conservation breeding centers. 
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ʻAkikiki occupy an increasingly small range on the island of Kauai. There are fewer than 500 birds left in the wild. GIF shows an ʻakikiki in a nest and a map of the ʻakikiki range.
Ever since the team began in 2013 when the ‘akikiki experienced major population declines, the project moved quickly.  Funding for the conservation breeding happened by the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office in 2014 and nest collections and conservation breeding began in 2015. This dedication resulted in 45 ʻakikiki raised, reared, and cared for in an intensive care setting for the first time in history!  This is a monumental milestones for conservation breeding efforts for this species and set the precedent for many more. The Team and its partners are also contributing to additional research and improvements in captive rearing techniques of the ʻakikiki and similar rare bird species, as well as habitat improvements and invasive species controls in order to facilitate future releases of this rare bird back to the wild.
“Conservation and recovery of our endangered species requires all of us to work together. The Saving ‘Akikiki from Extinction Team has made tremendous strides for the species,” said Katherine Mullett Acting Field Supervisor of the Service’s Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office. “The hard work and dedication demonstrated by this team to overcome unique and challenging circumstances proved that they truly are recovery champions.”
The Recovery Champion awards began in 2002 as a one-time recognition for Service staff members for their achievements in conserving listed species. However, in 2007 the program was expanded to honor Service partners as well, recognizing their essential role in the recovery of threatened and endangered species.
Please join us in congratulating the awarded team:
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From top left to right: Amy Klotz - San Diego Zoo Global Angela Ray - SDZG Bryce Masuda - SDZG Jay Nelson - Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office Jeremy Hodges - SDZG
From bottom left to right: John Vetter - PIFWO Justin Hite- Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project Lisa Cali Cramption - KFBRP Megan Laut - PIFWO Michelle Clark - PIFWO
There were also numerous staff from the organizations nominated and their partners that put in countless hours in support of this team in addition to the names recognized with the award. Thank you to the field crew and your fierce dedication!
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An outreach event led by the team with young students about bird recovery projects. Photo by KFBRP
These conservation efforts would not have been possible without these partners: Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project, State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, and San Diego Zoo Global’s Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program. These collaborators successfully started a breeding population of ‘akikiki in 2015, where the first chick ever hatched in captivity and was raised by its own parents. 
More collaborators essential to the project include: American Bird Conservancy, USGS, University of Hawaiʻi, Pacific Rim Conservation, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Airborne Aviation, Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee, Kauaʻi Agricultural Research Center, Kauaʻi Watershed Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Kokeʻe Resource Conservation Program, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. 
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A researcher in the field where egg collections occurred. Photo by KFBRP
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jonesy852515 · 5 years ago
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✌️✌️✌️#BIGCHECKS. BIGCHECKS are the best. THANK YOU MOTIVA AND @thespinxcompany FOR SUPPORTING @favorgreenville. #recoverywin #recoverycoach #recoverychampions #nonprofit (at FAVOR Greenville) https://www.instagram.com/p/B54Jm92DJC9/?igshid=5rsj4aonfee0
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thecouragecenter · 3 years ago
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Join us for The Courage Center's annual golf tournament on September 19th. Our Captain's Choice event at Lexington Country Club benefits youth and families recovering from substance use disorder. When you play and/or sponsor, you allow us to offer our life-affirming recovery support services at no cost. See where you can contribute: https://zcu.io/d8sH. Limited to 30 teams. Be a difference maker this September! #RecoverTogether #RecoveryChampions
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#recoverywarriors #thejoeturnereffect #recoverychampions
#recoverywarrior #stopeheroinlexington
#reachout #wedorecover #notalone
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