Our native duck, the koloa maoli, needs our help

Few people today can say they’ve seen a Koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), a petite and secretive bird and yet another of Hawaii’s animals on the endangered species list. Scientists estimate there are only about 2,200 individuals remaining. Not long ago, Koloa were known to have heavily populated wetlands on most islands, living in natural wetlands and taro lo‘i. They also wound their way through river corridors up into forests. Today, the strongest populations of Koloa are on Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau, and Hawai‘i Island.

On the other islands, Koloa have been rapidly hybridizing with introduced Mallards (brought here for sport hunting, egg production, and pond beautification), which is driving the Koloa to “genetic extinction.” Hybridization occurs when a Mallard and Koloa mate and produce fertile, hybrid offspring. If this occurs generation after generation, the true Koloa will no longer exist.

Other threats to the Koloa’s survival are habitat loss and introduced predators like dogs, cats and mongoose. But the news is not completely dire. Only 50 years ago, our state bird, the Nēnē, was down to less than 50 wild birds, and dedicated people worked hard to save it. Many people are working hard to save the Koloa from extinction, and they need our help.

What can we do?

• Don’t feed Mallards or other feral waterbirds.
• Don’t sell or release Mallards.
• If you have Mallards, keep them penned.
• Support voluntary removal of domesticated Mallards from your property.
• Keep wetland habitats available for Koloa and other native waterbirds.