become so decimated that by the mid 1940s the total population was fewer than 40 individuals. In 1950, three of these geese were sent to the Wildfowl Trust in England, where they were bred successfully. Ultimately, hundreds Aviculture: An Instrument were reared, and breeding stock was transferred into other facilities. Captive breeding was so successful that even ofPreservation tually more than fifteen hundred birds were returned to Hawaii and released by Bob Elgas, Sunny Valley, OR into their natural environment. In addi tion, many hundreds were established in private programs, where they con ad aviculture existed in the not have sufficient facilities. tinued to breed freely. past, as it does today, the Circumstances within the private Then, as the future of the Nene H Cuban Macaw,' the Passenger sector are quite different. There are seemed secure, misfortune prevailed. Pigeon, and the Labrador Duck might numerous individuals with the capabil Without effort to affix blame, for vari not now be extinct. Sadly, with the ity, the desire, the dedication, and the ous reasons, the wild population in passage of time, the increasing pres facilities to successfully breed birds. Hawaii declined. It was proposed that sure of an expanding human popula Unfortunately, a major component that the Hawaiian Goose be declared tion will inevitably result in the exter is largely restricted, is the opportunity. endangered. In-as-much as the mination of additional species. Unlike governmental or zoological Hawaiian Goose existed in the wild, However, since preservation through institutions, for whom stock is avail only in that state, and since there were captive breeding is possible, many can able, for private aviculturists, the oppo large captive breeding populations be saved. site is true. We in the private sector are within the continental United States, it As compared with a few years ear forbidden the possession of most was suggested the endangered listing lier, aviculture, particularly within the native birds, and therefore, are denied should be confined only to Hawaii. private sector, is much advanced. the opportunity to breed them. It Despite an overwhelming recom Breeding, incubating and rearing tech seems unrealistic that zoos may pos mendation to that effect, the Fish and niques have improved dramatically. sess native birds, for public display, Wildlife Service declared them endan Many rare species are being success while aviculturists are not allowed to gered, not only in Hawaii, but in the fully bred. As noted above, the future breed them. continental United States as well. As a ofwildlife, particularly birds, is increas As it refers to exotic, or non-native result, it was no longer lawful to trans ingly precarious. Our capability to pre species, aviculturists have a wider fer Nene Geese across state lines. serve them through captive breeding opportunity for possession than they Consequently, aviculturists curtailed becomes enormously important. do with native birds. However, regula their breeding programs and domestic There are three major areas in tions are being continually proposed populations decreased dramatically. In which propagation can be undertaken. and frequently enacted to also curtail reflecting upon that earlier time when The first is through governmental ini our access to these species. Rather the Nene population had reached an tiative, secondly by breeding programs than continuing to enact restrictive reg all time low, aviculture came to the res of zoological institutions, and third ulations, our governing agencies need cue. After an incredible recovery, an ill through breeding efforts within the pri to recognize the value and importance advised decision by a governmental vate sector. of captive propagation. agency virtually paralyzed that recov Avicultural programs at governmen As indicated, it is unlikely that sig ery. Because of that decision, the tal level have been infrequent, with nificant programs can be anticipated at future ofthe Hawaiian Goose is far less marginal results. Breeding programs at the governmental level, and only limit secure than it should have been. zoos have been more successful, and ed efforts by zoological institutions. As the name implies the Laysan some noteworthy results have been Private aviculture does have the capa Duck is native to the island of Laysan, achieved. Zoos however, function pri bility to successfully propagate birds, a tiny bit of land in the northwest marily as display institutions and are and should be given the opportunity quadrant of the Hawaiian Islands. not intended as breeding facilities. to do so. To demonstrate the capabili Laysan is only about three miles in Although they have successfully bred ty of Aviculture to preserve rare birds, length, with a small central lagoon. rare species, their efforts have been it would be worthwhile to examine its Early in the century, rabbits were intro directed primarily toward the propaga role in saving the Hawaiian or Nene duced and ultimately denuded the tion of high profile mammals. Most Goose CBranta sandvicensis) and the island of vegetation. As a result, the zoos do not concentrate on breeding Laysan Duck CAnas laysanensis). Laysan Duck was almost exterminated. birds-not because they lack the capa The Hawaiian Goose, which appro At one time, the entire population was bility, but because they frequently do priately is the State Bird of Hawaii, had fewer than 10 individuals.
48 May/June 1997 Ultimately, the rabbits were exter served in the Smithsonian. As one the best and most nutritionally bal minated, allowing the habitat to recov examines this mass of lifeless feathers anced diets possible. They are protect ~ er. Despite the environmental all that remains of what was once ed from predation, disease, harsh improvement, the duck population beautiful living bird, it is difficult to weather, and other adverse conditions. remained low. Eventually, a decision understand those who would destroy In brief, they are afforded the best was made to capture some of the aviculture. Given a choice, who would environment and care possible. The Laysan Ducks, return them to the con not prefer seeing a pair of these first indication that captive birds are tinental United States, and put them in delightful birds preserved in a captive insecure, or improperly cared for, is a the care of proven aviculturists. As was breeding facility, as opposed to a life failure to breed. The fact that avicul true with Nenes, the Laysan Ducks less skin in a musty museum drawer? turists are breeding birds in unprece responded well, and soon were being "Better dead than bred?" It makes no dented numbers attests to the fact that bred in quantity. sense whatsoever! they are being maintained under opti Ultimately they were re-introduced It is suggested by animal rights mum conditions. It is also worthy of to Laysan, where they prospered. In groups, that captive birds are unhappy note that captive birds, as a result of addition, an adjacent island was popu and long for their lost freedom. As a appropriate care, have a life expectan lated, and both populations appear lifelong aviculturist, I have leamed cy many times that of their wild coun stable. Laysan Ducks are abundant in much about birds, especially how they terparts. captivity where they breed freely, and respond to captivity. Birds like routine. We who keep birds need to be again aviculture has demonstrated its They are also receptive to the security increasingly aware of the efforts of capability to preserve rare birds. offered by a controlled environment. anti-avicultural groups who constantly There are powerful forces in this On frequent occasions, I have seen seek the enactment of restrictive regu country, the goal of which is to pre birds make their way outside the con lations. These groups are unrelenting, vent the captive propagation of birds. fines of their normal enclosure they are powerful and financially These organizations are frequently (macaws are notorious escape artists). strong. They contribute to political referred to as "animal rights" groups. It The natural reaction of birds, when campaigns, and thus gain the attention is their position, that birds, as well as they find themselves in unfamiliar SUr of elected officials. They functions at other animals, should not be kept in roundings, is one of nervous' discom all levels ofgovernment, their message captivity for any reason. They espouse fort. Escapees are far more inclined to is heard, and they are successful. Their such slogans as "Better dead than try and regain entry into a familiar area ultimate goal is the enactment of legis bred" and "let them die with dignity," rather than depart to the insecurity of lation that will deny the right ~:>f private referring to the fact they prefer extinc strange surroundings. citizens to own birds. tion to captive propagation. It is diffi On numerous occasions I have had The American Federation of cult to understand the reasoning of macaws, outside their flights, usually Aviculture is working to preserve our anyone who would prefer extinction. perched in the crown of a tall tree. rights. However, the AFA membership Those who support such flawed rea They obviously enjoyed my discomfort is largely involved with psittacines. soning might reflect for a moment on at their outdoor antics. At their OWn There are many other groups interest exactly what extinction is. Consider, discretion, usually with the approach ed in birds, including those who main for example, the Dodo. of evening, they returned to their OWn tain waterfowl, gallinaceous birds, The Dodo was a large flightless quarters, to retire in the security of ratites and others. The threat of restric bird, native to islands of the Indian familiar surroundings. tive legislation is directed equally Ocean. They were slaughtered by Anti-avicultural groups like to extol toward all aviculturists. humans until the last one was extermi the virtue of birds being wild and free. In an effort to protect ourselves it nated some four hundred years ago. At Nature can be harsh-thus wild and would be advantageous for all groups that time, the Dodo became extinct. A free also has its downside. As an to consolidate and present a unified hundred years later it was still extinct. example, the first law of nature is that front. Animal rights forces continually It is extinct today, and will continue to no species can exist in greater num lobby governmental officials. We as be extinct ten thousand years from bers than its environment will sustain. aviculturists are much less active in now. Nothing science can do will For every individual born into a popu making our position known. It would restore the Dodo. Extinction is irre lation an existing member must sur be in our interest if all groups would versible--- it is FOREVER--- there is no render its life to make room for its contribute financially to a central fund, return --- extinction is utterly and total arrival. This is known as natural popu the purpose of which would be to ly final. lation control. finance professional education about Those who would "let them die Among other control mechanisms aviculture directed towards elected with dignity" would do well to reflect are death by starvation, death at the officials. In short, we must educate the upon this. hands of hungry predators, disease, world regarding the rights and virtues Also remember the Cuban Macaw. severe weather conditions and others. of Aviculture. This brightly colored little bird was Birds in captivity are not subject to If we fail in this mission we can exterminated more than a hundred such reality. expect the "better dead than bred" phi years ago. There is a single skin pre- Aviculturists provide their charges losophy to prevail. + afa WATCHBIRD 49