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Protecting Petrels that Live on a Volcano
A fence helps keep their elusive burrows safe.
© Jessie Eden
The ‘Ua’u or Hawaiian Petrel is an endangered species once thought extinct or nearly so. But in recent decades, biologists have relocated some of their well-hidden nests — such as underneath the lava fields of Mauna Loa, an active volcano. Areas where the lava has long since cooled have deep tubes in which the ‘Ua’u can make their burrows. Despite their secretive burrows, the ‘Ua’u are still at risk of predators such as feral cats. A fence completed in 2016 keeps predators away from the petrel burrows, giving them a space to thrive.
BirdNote®
Protecting Petrels that Live on a Volcano
Adapted from the Threatened podcast
This is BirdNote.
The ‘Ua’u or Hawaiian Petrel is an endangered species once thought extinct or nearly so. But in recent decades, biologists have relocated some of their well-hidden nests.
[‘Ua’u calls]
Some ‘Ua’u nest in a seemingly inhospitable landscape: underneath the lava fields of Mauna Loa, an active volcano. Areas where the lava has long since cooled have deep tubes in which the ‘Ua’u can make their burrows. Wildlife biologist Charlotte Forbes Perry monitors the petrels on Mauna Loa.
Charlotte Forbes Perry: We look for signs of activity when we're walking around out there on the lava. And one of the main things that we're looking for ‘Ua’u poop. So when we see that on the lava, we look around that area for more, like, feathers. And then we'll look for the burrow opening, which could be a little cryptic at times. We also smell inside the area.
Despite their secretive burrows, the ‘Ua’u are still at risk of predators such as feral cats. A fence completed in 2016 keeps predators away from the petrel burrows, offering them a space to thrive. That’s given Charlotte and others new hope for this species.
Charlotte Forbes Perry: I think that my role in trying to take care of these birds, these ‘Ua’u, is my contribution to my cultural upbringing. We believe these birds are our ancestors or, you know, family members. And we should do what we can to keep them as healthy as possible.
[‘Ua’u calls]
Learn more about the success story of ‘Ua’u conservation on the Threatened podcast. Listen in your podcast app or on BirdNote dot org. I’m Ari Daniel.
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Senior Producer: John Kessler
Content Director: Allison Wilson
Producer: Mark Bramhill
Managing Producer: Conor Gearin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2022 BirdNote August 2022
Narrator: Ari Daniel
ID# HAPE-02-2022-08-23 HAPE-02
Ari Daniel
Writer Narrator
Jessie Eden
PhotographerSights & Sounds
