HPAI Avian Influenza (AI) (H5N1) has arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. An organization that held large numbers of waterfowl, mostly introduced species, has been identified as the epicenter of the outbreak. That flock has now been euthanized by officials, but the disease has been detected at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, underlining the risk to our native Hawaiian waterbirds that are found nowhere else in the world (although no birds have been reported sick or dead there as yet).
That includes birds like the ʻalae ʻula (Hawaiian common gallinule), a charismatic black bird that is easily recognized by its distinctive red ʻfrontal shield’ and can be seen around wetlands including golf courses, sanctuaries, and refuges. This culturally important species has been lost from all the Hawaiian Islands except Kauaʻi and Oʻahu and a recent population estimate by the U.S. Geological Survey suggested that numbers have been falling over the last five years and put their population at just 712 birds. An outbreak of HPAI Avian Influenza is a frightening prospect for this Endangered species, as the disease has a high mortality rate in birds.
Now that HPAI Avian Flu is here, it is difficult to stop, but we can all help by being vigilant. If you see sick or dead birds (particularly multiple birds), alert the Department of Agriculture at (808) 483-7100 or (808) 837-8092 so that they can retrieve the carcasses and avoid infecting other birds. This also reduces the risk of a botulism outbreak which is connected with carcasses remaining in wetlands, and is also a killer. Native birds that are sick can be rehabilitated at Save Our Shearwaters on Kauaʻi or Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center which works statewide. Both organizations also accept donations to support this vital work.
And to help our native waterbirds long term, there are three simple things that you can do: keep your cats indoors (cats are serious predators of waterbirds); slow down near wetlands, as many birds are killed on the roads; and support the local organizations that are maintaining our precious wetlands for people, community, climate resilience, and our unique Hawaiian wildlife.
For more information on continuing to pick up fallout seabirds, see this link
