FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Public Relations
619-685-3291
publicrelations@sdzwa.org
sdzwa.org
PRESS ROOM: sdzwa.org/pr/alala-dating-game
NEWS RELEASE
The Wildlife Dating Game: Playing Cupid to Save a Species
Making a Love Connection, Pairing With Multiple Mates Could be Keys to Saving the Critically Endangered ‘Alalā, According to a New Study
SAN DIEGO (Feb. 14, 2024) – It's a match! In the world of conservation, pairing a perfect couple is more than just a romantic endeavor; it could be the key to saving an endangered species.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) is playing Cupid for the critically endangered ‘alalā, a unique bird found only in Hawai‘i. In a new, unconventional study recently published in the journal Animal Conservation, SDZWA scientists hoping to hone their matchmaking skills applied personality traits to these crow relatives to find love connections to result in successfully fertilized eggs.
Personality profiles for 69 male and 59 female ‘alalā were crafted based on 22 traits, including curiosity, flexibility, and even quirks such as feather plucking. The study found that when it comes to ‘alalā, the adage that opposites attract is a match for successful mating outcomes. When the males were more aggressive, territorial and fearful than their female counterparts, the pairs were more likely to produce fertilized eggs.
"Unlike most of our scientific analyses, this study relied on caretakers' opinions to determine birds’ personalities,” said Dr. Alison Flanagan, a researcher in recovery ecology at SDZWA. “In a way, we created a dating app for ‘alalā to inform our breeding process. By ‘swiping right’ on these birds, we're hoping to up the odds for breeding success and give love a chance in a species teetering on the brink of extinction.”
While these traits didn't result in improved nest quality or hatch rates, the study suggests that birds with contrasting personality traits may get along better, potentially leading to more successful breeding. This study is one of four new papers published by SDZWA, all aimed at returning the ‘alalā to the wild where they are currently extinct. The State of Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources – Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are planning a pilot release of ʻalalā on Maui.
A related paper published this month in the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science revealed that it's not the duration of the relationship that counts, but the age of the birds that determines breeding success. Data on ‘alalā breeding from 2018 to 2021 was used to explore caretakers’ decisions about whether to keep pairs together. If pairs aren’t producing offspring, should they be left alone and allowed to keep trying or given a shot at a new mate? In the past, caretakers were concerned that divorcing pairs would mean starting from scratch with a new mate, but the findings showed that there was no reproductive penalty associated with breaking up couples and repairing them. This means the recovery effort could do well by setting up ‘alalā on more blind dates, focusing on compatibility rather than their relationship history.
Still, in any successful relationship, strong bonds do matter, and when it comes to ‘alalā, strengthening relationship-building skills may be essential to the birds’ survival when they are eventually reintroduced to the wild. A third paper published in a recent issue of Zoo Biology showed how scientists changed their approach to caring for ‘alalā to focusing on helping them behave like they would in their natural habitat. Methods include identifying bird pairs that want to spend more time together to strengthen their bonds, encouraging them to build their own nests and allowing the mothers to incubate the eggs naturally.
A fourth paper published in the January issue of Conservation Science and Practice investigated ways to better manage ‘alalā after release into the wild by changing where they are offered supplemental food. Published in the January issue of Conservation Science and Practice, it revealed that the birds were quicker to find feeders in closed, canopied habitats than open areas, which could be a game-changer in transitioning the birds back to the forest. The study also showed that moving feeders in the forest can be used as a tool to guide the birds’ use of space in a novel environment, to get them to explore and learn about the forest while having reliable access to food.
###
About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships. Through wildlife care, science expertise and collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. Annually, the Alliance reaches over 1 billion people, in person at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and virtually in 150 countries through media channels, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television programming in children’s hospitals in 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible.
About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and working toward a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to eco-regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their expertise and assets—including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these skills in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television programming, which is in children’s hospitals in 14 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring all life thrives.
