I wonder if Lehua Island is large enough to serve as a refuge for endangered Hawaiian birds such as Laysan Finches or Nihoa Finches, or Nihoa Millerbirds. It would be a good precaution to have as many separated populations of these birds as possible to guard against a catastrophe that would harm any one population.
There's a reason why native hawaiian forest birds are not found in low altitude environments anymore. Avian malaria, vectored by mosquitos, make it impossible for these birds to survive near shore.
@@BountifulBeanBreakfast I am a big supporter of the current experiments to genetically alter mosquitoes to either keep the offspring from developing or having them all born male to eventually die out to deal with these pests that are carriers of disease. Of course, these "new" mosquitoes should be thoroughly tested in the laboratory first to make sure that there are no unexpected consequences to those alterations. A good way to do that would be to literally feed them to other animals in the lab and, then, test those animals to make sure that there is no form of genetic contamination. It is nearly certain already that there would not be, but real-world, empirical tests would confirm that. If mosquitoes could be eliminated on the Hawaiian Islands, it would go a long way to help restore the native avifauna there.
@@RCSVirginia If mosquito populations could be significantly diminished enough to allow forest birds back into fenced off low altitude environments, it would be a beautiful thing. I'm all for genetically modified mosquito research. If native Hawaiian bird species are to survive and rebound, action is required sooner rather than later.
Need more than a one prong approach. Pellet drop. Cats if they can be trained not to eat birds. Manual placed of pellets. Keep dropping pellets to get the babies that survive the first pellet drop. Lots of rat traps. And sound waves to push the rats into corridors to eat pellets or into traps. Not just one or pellet drops.
…wouldn’t the birds eat the dropped rat poison pellets? …being scavengers that they are and how scarce food may be on this island, you can’t tell me that they wouldn’t gobble the pellets up.
Very sorry if this comes across as too cynical, but frankly people (and governments) love the "Save the (fill in the blank)" causes and programs. They are a good source of money and even skimming off the top for administrators. Everyone wants a "cause" these days , and history has shown that most of these programs involving humans attempting to influence nature are self perpetuating because they cause further problems than they solve. I might suggest that, instead of spending a million dollars on this project, somebody buys about 50 airplane tickets to this place for experienced guys with pellet guns. Might cost as much as $25,000. I suspect the rat problem would be very substantially reduced or even disappear within a week, and all the little birdies would go "tweet, tweet, tweet". Way better than poisoning. Tell me that dead poisoned rats aren't picked at by bird species. Of course, if the problem ends, then the money stops, so probably not going to happen. Oh, and what about saving the fish? The lady says, "Birds are extremely important because the fishermen follow the birds to the fish." So, yeah, this sounds like virtue signalling and double-standard to me. Again, sorry.
Let some pest control techs camp out and eradicate pest rodent populations on the island. No rodenticides needed..no harm or impact to non target animals. IPM. I’m willing and licensed.
Everyone needs salvation here are the words of salvation please forgive me jesus im a sinner come into my heart and save me from my sin I no that you are the savior and I no that you died for me on calvary and I no that God raise you from the dead and you are alive and I thankyou for your salvation in Jesus holy name amen and its important to always ask for forgiveness every night 🌙 ✨ 💖 ♥ 💕 ❤ 🌙 ✨ 💖
The only person that is heald in such high regard is Jesus Christ. I am Hawaiian and proud to have what God has given to me. I only worship Jesus Christ not birds, mountains, or any other pegan idols. I think what you are doing to save the animals that inhabit Lehua island is amazing.
When is something considered native to a area 100 years 1000 years 10000 years as rats could have been native and not brought by man we just don't know and are assuming so then trying to step in to preserve food chains we really don't understand by dropping posin that all animals will eat did humans bring the rabbits that have adapted to live on the island are they not native to a island they adapted to live on. Humans do so much damage trying to play God
A year after this pellet drop they sent a pair of household pets to help out with the rats/mice problems ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YpbBMbLXWXc.html
