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Islands are less than 5% of the earths landmass, yet are home to 40% of the endangered species. Many island bird species in particular are threatened by introduced predators that they lack defenses against, and because many nest close to sea level, are also threatened by sea level changes. This project focuses on species that are most vulnerable to sea level rise- those with a high proportion of their global population in few locations, and a high proportion of their population (>95% or more) nesting less than 2 meters above sea level.
Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses have healthy population sizes and nest in locations mostly safe from predators, but more than 95% of their populations are found less than 2m above sea level making them extremely vulnerable to sea level rise. In the tsunami of 2011, more than 50% of the nests of both species were lost, and the inundation from that event is likely less than projected sea level rises. While they are not in imminent danger now, they will be in the near future. Similarly, Bonin Petrels and Tristram's Storm Petrels contain more than 95% of their population below 2m above sea level. Our work seeks to create safe colonies for birds vulnerable to predation by introduced species and to create populations safe from sea level rise. You can download this information below: 
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Laysan Albatross |
Black-footed Albatross |
Translocated from: U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, where they attempt to nest on an active runway and pose a collision hazard for aircraft. # birds translocated: 50 chicks from 2015-2017; 46 of those chicks fledged. More than 900 wild adults have visited the site to date. Current nesting colonies: 99% in the Hawaiian Islands; <1% in Japan and Mexico Worldwide population: ~2 million birds; 75% on Midway Atoll alone and 99% in Hawaii. |
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Bonin Petrels |
Tristram's Storm Petrels |
Translocated from: Midway Atoll and Tern Island National Wildlife Refuges
# birds to be translocated: 53 chicks in 2018; 100 per year planned from 2019 onwards. Current nesting colonies: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Japan. Worldwide population: ~1 million birds; 98% thought to nest in Hawaii. |
Translocated from: Tern Island National Wildlife Refuge.
# birds to be translocated: 25 chicks in 2018; 100+ per year planned from 2019 onwards. Current nesting colonies: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Japan. Worldwide population: ~30,000 birds; 75% thought to nest in Hawaii. |