Because malaria was carried to Hawaii's island of Kaua'i by non-native mosquitoes, the remaining five 'akikiki birds in the wild are in danger of going extinct.

Last Five 'Akikiki Birds in Hawaii vs. Avian Malaria

The 'akikiki, a small gray bird native to Hawaii, faces imminent extinction with only five remaining in the wild. The main threat to these birds is malaria-carrying mosquitoes. They inhabit the cool, lush mountains of Kaua'i, historically protected from non-native mosquitoes. However, rising temperatures due to climate change have allowed these insects to ascend, leading to a catastrophic decline in 'akikiki populations over the last two decades.

Hannah Bailey, wildlife care manager of the Hawaii Endangered Forest Bird Conservation Program, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, explained that as climate change facilitates mosquito movement to higher elevations, the birds, lacking resistance to mosquito-borne diseases, succumb to avian malaria, often proving fatal for these small honeycreepers. The 'akikiki's rarity and impending extinction highlight the devastating impact of climate change on biodiversity in Hawaii.

Striving for Bird Conservation

Facing record-low populations, conservationists like Hannah Bailey, in collaboration with the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, are intensifying efforts to prevent the 'akikiki's extinction. Their strategy involves establishing an insurance population within bird conservation centers on the Kaua'i and Maui islands. These centers were fortunately unaffected by recent wildfires that ravaged Maui.

Bailey's mission is to create secure populations of imperiled species, with the ultimate goal of re-releasing them when environmental conditions permit long-term survival. Their approach has shifted from capturing the remaining birds to exclusively collecting unhatched eggs. During nesting seasons, the team searches for nests atop 'Ōhi'a trees, sometimes reaching heights of 48 feet using camera-equipped poles.

This summer, they successfully retrieved 10 eggs, which are now incubating at the Kaua'i Bird Conservation Center, joining the existing 50 'akikiki in human care.

These rescued birds reside in carefully designed enclosures that replicate their natural habitat while safeguarding them from mosquitoes, and human interaction is limited to maintain their natural behavior. The ultimate goal is to release them back into their native habitat once the threat of avian malaria is eliminated, creating the best chance for survival and nurturing the next generation of 'akikiki.

Eradicating Avian Malaria and Non-Native Mosquitoes in Hawaii

The pressing challenge revolves around eradicating avian malaria, a threat not only to the 'akikiki but also to other endangered forest birds in Hawaii. In the past, Hawaii was home to over 50 honeycreeper species, nectar, and insect-feeding songbirds. Today, only 17 species remain due to mosquito-borne diseases, habitat loss, and invasive species.

In June, the US government committed nearly $16 million to prevent the imminent extinction of Hawaiian forest birds. This funding includes expanding captive care programs and efforts to control and eliminate invasive mosquitoes.

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources awaits regulatory approval for implementing the "incompatible insect technique (IIT)." This technique involves releasing male mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacteria strain, causing non-viable eggs and offspring when they mate with wild females. This process may reduce the risk of forest birds contracting avian malaria, as the disease is exclusively carried by female mosquitoes.

While awaiting this development, the focus remains on increasing populations and maintaining genetic diversity. The ultimate hope is that Hawaii gains control over mosquitoes and other threats, enabling the birds to return to their native habitat, and rendering the wildlife center unnecessary.