Happy News: ‘Extinct’ Species Found!

I love it when supposedly extinct species are found again. After all, I included the believed-to-be extinct sole native mammal of The Bahamas, the hutia (Geocapromys ingrahami), in a Curtis Curly-tail story, Curtis Curly-tail hears a Hutia. The hutia was believed to be extinct until a small colony was found on the tiny island of East Plana Cay.

Image from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife

Say Aloha to Ua’u

I was delighted to hear about the rediscovery of the ua’u (Pterodroma sandwichensis), the Hawaiian petrel, which hadn’t been seen on Mauna Kea for almost 70 years! And it’s not like scientists hadn’t been looking for it! In 2021, several burrows were found in the mountain forest of the northeastern slope at an elevation of 9000 feet and, importantly, in an area managed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL recently erected a cat-proof fence to protect them from non-native predators. As they say, fences make good neighbors.

Someday, I hope to see them soaring above the ocean, effortlessly flying without flapping their 3-foot wings for hours.

The scientists hope other ua’u will hear about the DHHL safe haven and increase the population of Mauna Kea.

This species, found on a few of the Hawaiian Islands, is endemic to Hawaii. They used to nest throughout the island chain, but with the arrival of humans, they moved to higher elevations.

The ua’u is a medium-sized petrel that is active at night and nocturnal. The name is due to the call heard in colonies, in their burrows in the mountainside. They are dark above and white below, camouflaging colors. But they have primarily pink legs and feet. Awesome! I like pink feet. Actually, I like pink anything, such as Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum), pink Galapagos iguanas (Conolophus marthae), or Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis).

Ua’u like to eat some of my favorite seafood items, squid and crustaceans, but also enjoy goatfish and lanternfish. I may have eaten goatfish, but I’m sure I’ve never eaten a lanternfish.

These petrels form long-term relationships and return to the same nesting site. Burrows, crevices, and lava tubes are all acceptable nest locations. Both parents care for the egg and the single chick.

Sadly, ua’u were tasty and susceptible to introduced predators (dogs, pigs, rats, etc.).Ungulates, like goats and sheep, destroyed their nests.

Of course, human colonization and destruction of habitat affect the petrels. In addition, the lights at night disorient the birds, affecting their behavior.

Now and then, a petrel goes astray. One was found in the Galapagos Islands. Curiously, one was found in Arizona near the Colorado River, the first recorded sighting in North America. Later, a couple wandered up the West Coast, with sightings in California and Oregon.

Let’s celebrate the fact that the ua’u still exists in Mauna Kea. Another animal species that has adapted to the presence of humans and persevered. Let’s hope many more species will as well. Check out my conservation books and workbooks to learn more.