Po'ouli Is Closer to Extinction as Captive Endangered Bird Dies

[The Stranger]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bird1dec01,1,960367.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

Po'ouli Is Closer to Extinction as Captive Endangered Bird Dies

The male was one of three of the species known to be alive. Breeding plans failed.
By Tony Perry
Times Staff Writer

December 1, 2004

SAN DIEGO — The only captive member of what may be the world's most endangered species of bird has died in Hawaii, zoo officials announced Tuesday.

The death of the male po'ouli at a bird conservation center on Maui comes less than three months after avian conservationists rejoiced at its capture. Only two other po'ouli are known to exist, both in Maui's dense rain forest.

Bird specialists had hoped to capture one or both of the other birds to assist in a captive breeding program. That effort has been unsuccessful.

Alan Lieberman, the San Diego Zoo's avian conservation coordinator, said the chances for survival of the species were "infinitesimally small" after the bird's sudden death Friday night.

The tiny carcass has been shipped to the zoo for pathology tests to determine the cause of death. The effort to save the po'ouli is run jointly by the San Diego Zoo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The po'ouli is the size of a hummingbird. Its natural habitat has been ravaged by development and by feral pigs, goats, rats and the Indian mongoose.

[pmbryant]

1. Only 2 left. Here's a picture

?z

[hatrack]

2. Step right up! View the Living Dead, ladies & gentlemen!

Dead bird squawking! Get your tickets now! But don't worry if you can't make it to today's show - more exciting attractions coming SOON.