Endangered Pueo Released Back onto MCBH
On July 30, a Hamer Environmental biological monitor recovered the pueo in the MCBH water reclamation facility polishing pond and the bird was taken to Feather & Fur Animal Hospital in Kailua. Upon finding that the bird had bands and a transmitter, the biological monitor reported the band information to the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab and local USFWS staff, who confirmed this pueo was part of a University of Hawai‘i at Manoa study. The pueo entered HWC’s care on Aug. 1. The wildlife care team provided intensive care and medical treatment.
HWC staff closely monitored her progress before moving her to an outdoor aviary, where she regained her strength and practiced flying in preparation for release.
“Every pueo we’re able to return to the wild is meaningful, especially on Oahu where the species is endangered,” said Linda Elliott, CEO of the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center. “For two months, our wildlife care team treated her illness and closely monitored her recovery. We’re grateful to our partners who helped make her release possible.”
The pueo’s rescue also revealed a connection to an earlier wildlife research project. In 2021, UH Manoa researchers captured and fitted the pueo with a transmitter and U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab bands as part of a research project funded by MCBH Natural Resources. The broader study examined pueo habitat use and movement. This pueo was captured and released at MCBH in the Nu.upia Ponds Wildlife Management Area in May 2021.
Researchers tracked her movements, including key roosting and hunting areas, until the transmitter stopped functioning in October 2021. Although GPS data was collected for only four months, it showed that the pueo spent much of her time at MCBH and also made occasional visits to Kane‘ohe and Kailua.
Pueo are listed by the state as endangered on O‘ahu. Her return to the wild supports ongoing efforts at Marine Corps Base Hawai’i to monitor and protect native wildlife and conserve the installation’s natural resources.
At its hospital and rehabilitation facility on Hawai‘i Island, HWC cares for native birds and bats from across the state. Its team combines veterinary treatment with rehabilitation tailored to each species, helping patients recover the abilities they need to survive in their natural environment.
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