HILO, Hawaii — Conservationists have released seven Hawaiian crows, increasing the population of the critically endangered birds.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday that the Hawaiian crows, or Alala, joined nearly 20 other birds released in the Big Island’s Puu Makaala Natural Forest Reserve in the past two years.
The release earlier this month was part of the Alala Project, a joint revitalization effort by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and San Diego Zoo Global.
Officials say the birds were declared extinct in the wild in 2002, but have gradually been reintroduced in groups since 2017.
Officials say 11 crows were released in 2017, including one that sustained an injury and was retrieved by the Alala Project and released again this month.
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Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/
The Associated Press
