Translocated Laysan Ducks on Kure Atoll are Proud Parents

Laysan duck mother with her brood on Kure Atoll. Credit: Naomi Worcester/Hawaiʻi DLNR

Last week, 19 brand new downy ducklings were seen on Kure Atoll State Wildlife Sanctuary by staff from the State of Hawaiʻi DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) stationed there. These are undoubtedly the offspring of the endangered Laysan ducks (Anas laysanensis) that were translocated last September from Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge to Kure Atoll located in the northwesternmost portion of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Laysan ducks once occurred across the entire Hawaiian Archipelago, but disappeared from the main Hawaiian Islands with the arrival of invasive rats around 800 years ago. They were restricted to Laysan Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for about 150 years until they were successfully reintroduced to Midway Atoll in 2004.

Another Laysan duck mother with her brood near Brad's Pit on Kure Atoll. Credit: Matthew Saunter/Hawaiʻi DLNR

The endangered Laysan duck is the rarest duck in the Northern hemisphere and has the smallest geographic range of any duck species in the world. The species continues to be threatened by avian disease, severe storms and sea level rise.

Establishing an additional population of this species will reduce its risk of extinction from random disasters, introduced species or disease outbreaks. Kure Atoll State Wildlife Sanctuary Manager Cynthia Vanderlip said, "We all feel like proud parents."

Read the press release.

See more pictures and video:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/62iangcugisnxiw/AAB_twUAZSauYuxTSP0UPsXqa?dl=0
https://vimeo.com/127316564.

Laysan Duck Project Additional Partners