Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris) Case Study
Home > Biodiversity Nature & People > Conservation Philanthropy > Grants > MBZF Grant 192522599
Continent: North America
Country: United States
Grant Amount: $15,000
Awarded Date: March 05, 2020
Gilbert P Kea
Garden Island Resource Conservation and Development Inc
4253 Rice St. Suite C
Lihue
Hawaii
96766
United States
Tel: 808 246-0004
Mob: 775 813 4678 (Dr. Crampton)
Tracking for Translocation; Securing the Future for Akekee in Hawaii
This project prepares the ground for translocation of Akekee to higher elevation, disease-free forest in Maui, as a safeguard against extinction and to restore ecosystem function previously provided by the extinct Maui Akepa. To succeed, we need locational and movement data on Akekee. The terrain of the Alakai makes this challenging. Our solution is to expand a pilot project that established a network of automated detection stations (ADS) to track bird movements without requiring observers. Our objectives are to: 1. Build knowledge on Akekee habitat use and preferred microclimate 2. Obtain new information on Akekee diet for translocation project site selection 3. Improve effectiveness of predator control work by identifying the range of birds so that predator traps can be installed appropriately 4. Locate nests to band chicks, obtain demographic information, understand breeding biology & collect fecal samples. 5. Assist with mitigation work for the spread of Rapid Ohia Death (ROD – a fungal disease) by understanding the importance of ohia to Akekee, and alternative trees that could be planted 6. Raise awareness of Akekee with decision makers / general public
Grant documents
- Application of natural history data on akekee collected on Kauai to modeling to determine habitat suitability for birds translocated to Maui
- Presentation of Expert Elicitation results and recommendations for management of critically endangered Hawaiian Honeycreepers, including Akekee
- Habitat suitability modeling for akekee on Kauai. Maps were used to indicate study areas for this grant.
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