Successful translocation of Newell’s Shearwaters and Hawaiian Petrels to create a new, predator free breeding colony

• DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2023.1177789
• Publication Date: 2023-05-29T04:16:21Z
• Authors: Lindsay C. Young; Charles Robert Ko...; Eric A. VanderWerf; Leilani Fowlke; Daniela Casillas; Megan Dalton; Marilou Knight; Adrien Pesque; Erika M. Dittmar; Andre F. Raine; Megan Vynne
• Keywords: Petrel; Shearwater; Puffinus

Newell’s Shearwater ( Puffinus auricularis newelli; NESH) and Hawaiian Petrel Pterodroma sandwichensis; HAPE) are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act have declined by 94% 78%, respectively, since 1993 due to habitat degradation, predation introduced predators, collisions with powerlines light attraction. Given challenges in protecting nesting birds their rugged montane habitats, it has long been desirable create populations of both species more accessible locations that offer a higher level protection. We translocated 110 HAPE 86 NESH chicks over six-year period from 2015-2020 2.5-ha predator-free enclosure on Kaua`i, Hawai`i. In addition invasive plant removal native out-planting, we installed 76 artificial burrows provide sites. Chicks were tube fed 1-20% body weight daily form slurry comprised squid, fish, salmon oil, Pedialyte. All 96% (N=106) survived fledging. Eight HAPE, including three breeding pairs, one returned as adults translocation site bred at site, resulting first colony this species.