The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project is an organization that promotes the awareness and conservation of the native forest birds of Kaua‘i’, Hawaii. It is a collaboration between the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry & Wildlife and the University of Hawaii's Pacific Studies Cooperative Unit.
The project began in 2003 and advocates for the unique birds of Kaua‘i’. Only eight species of forest birds remain on Kaua‘i’ due to invasive species, plants, disease, and climate change.These include federally endangered birds such as the Akeke’e, Akikiki, and the Puaiohi as well as native birds like the Kaua’i ‘Amakihi, Apapane, Anianiau, Kaua’i Elepaio, and 'I'iwi.
The 'Akeke'e courtesy of kauaiforestbirds.org
Invasive species including rats, threaten the remaining birds by destroying nests and aggressively competing for food. This is a common problem in areas in which species have evolved without natural predators. Where humans go, so do rats and their destructive nature. Unfortunately, this means animals like the forest birds of Kaua‘i simply have no natural defense mechanisms against predatory species. It is a problem that we as humans have created and one that we need to fix.
Using Goodnature Traps
The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project is taking back the forest using Goodnature A24 traps to combat the growing rat populations. Currently, the project has over 425 traps dispatched across 525 acres.
The team maintains the traps one by one inspecting each site every 3-4 months. This means hiking a 10km average a day through ridges, valleys, and rivers through the Kaua‘i interior.
Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project Team Members
We recently visited this dedicated team and brought a camera along for the day. As you can imagine, these dedicated individuals are passionate about conservation and doing it humanely and without the use of toxins.
Birds Not Rats!
It takes a lot of concerted time, money and effort to keep the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project operating. Luckily, you can get involved in the efforts to save these amazing birds!
The Birds Not Rats campaign has been around since 2014 and features some pretty awesome gear as pictured below:
With the purchase of these amazing hoodies, tees, and long sleeves, you can help support the effort to take back Kaua‘i and answer the call of Birds, Not Rats!
To learn more visit:
https://www.bonfire.com/birds-not-rats-1/