18 birds from rare species released on Kauai

HONOLULU (AP) - Conservationists have released 18 birds to close out a captive breeding program for a rare Kauai species.

KITV-TV reports (https://bit.ly/1PNDcK6) the puaiohi were raised in captivity and joined a population in the island’s forests last week.

The Hawaiian bird’s Kauai population has increased from 300 to about 500 in the wild today.

Ongoing species recovery efforts will focus threats like introduced predators and the loss of habitat.

A wildlife biologist involved in the collaborative effort says the puaiohi captive breeding model will be used for two other critically endangered Kauai species.

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Information from: KITV-TV, https://www.kitv.com/index.html