May Newsletter 2024

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April Numbers

Our large aviary is getting full with our many nēnē patients.

We’ve been spending our May trying to catch our breath from some crazy April intake numbers! Last month we admitted 37 patients, 16 of which were nēnē/ Hawaiian Geese. In total, we admitted 13 different species and throughout the month we had an average of over 15 patients in care each day. On our busiest day, we admitted 8 patients and had a total of 22 birds in care! These numbers highlight how our program has grown from strictly shearwater and petrel response in the early days to a year-round rehabilitation effort for all native species. We no longer get an “off-season” outside of shearwater fallout times. They sure keep us busy!

That being said, keep an eye out in the next month or so if you’re interested in helping out our native feathered friends. We will be recruiting volunteer transporters who can make a firm commitment at least one day a week to check aid stations and transport injured birds to SOS (Hanalei to Wailua or Kekaha to Wailua) from September 15th to December 15th. Training would be required. If you already know you’re interested - reach out on the contact form on our website! Stay tuned for specific requirements for these new volunteer positions.

Patient Spotlight

ANP222 in our aviary.

ANP222 is one of our many nēnē patients in care. S/he came to SOS on May 1st with a leg fracture. Despite her injured leg and thin body condition, she remained alert on arrival. We applied a splint to keep the fracture in place as it healed. After about two weeks the splint was ready to come off and she has been recovering well! With our fracture patients, we gradually move them to larger enclosure spaces after their splint comes off to allow a controlled amount of activity and use of the healing fracture site. ANP222 has now moved into our biggest enclosure and with a little more time, she should be ready for release soon!

Behind the Scenes

Radiographs are one of the many diagnostic tools we use. We often use them to confirm suspected fractures, get details on the fracture type, and track their healing. We can also see things such as soft tissue damage, arthritis, and obstructions. Some patients will get several sets of radiographs throughout care as their injuries go through the healing process.

Radiographs of ANP222's fracture on the second day of care compared to radiographs take after the splint was removed (lower corner of each photo).

For ANP222, discussed above, once the splint came off, we were able to feel by hand that there was calcification around the fracture site and that the bone felt stable. However, we still got repeat radiographs to get a clearer picture of how the fracture had healed and to inform our care plans. With calcification shown in the radiographs and normal use of the leg, things are looking good for this nēnē!

Conservation Corner

World Oceans Day

June 8th is World Oceans Day! Check out Surfrider Foundation and Kaua'i Society of Artists 6th annual Marine Debris Art Show.

Grow Aloha

Did you know the National Tropical Botanical Garden has a podcast? Listen as they explore the importance of native Hawaiian plants in Hawaiian lifeways, communities, and ecosystems.

SOS is an Unincorporated Nonprofit Association and fiscally sponsored by the Hawai'i Wildlife Center, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.

As the only Federal and State permitted wildlife facility on Kaua‘i, Save Our Shearwaters provides life-saving care to Hawai'i’s native birds in need. When you donate, you help us continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife. Mahalo nui loa from all of us at SOS (our feathered friends included)!

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May Newsletter 2024

April Numbers

Patient Spotlight

Behind the Scenes

Conservation Corner

7370 Kuamoʻo Rd

Kapaʻa, HI 96746

(808) 635-5117

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