The Hawaiian duck, or koloa maoli (Anas wyvilliana), is the only endemic dabbling duck remaining in the Hawaiian Islands. Relatively common in the early 1900s, the koloa since has undergone a significant population decline because of such factors as wetland loss, overhunting, introduced predators and crossbreeding with feral mallards.
The Hawaiian duck, or koloa maoli (Anas wyvilliana), is the only endemic dabbling duck remaining in the Hawaiian Islands. Relatively common in the early 1900s, the koloa since has undergone a significant population decline because of such factors as wetland loss, overhunting, introduced predators and crossbreeding with feral mallards.
Scant information about key aspects of koloa ecology has hampered the development of effective recovery plans for this endangered species. But throughout the past several years, collaborative research efforts by universities, specialists, agencies and individuals on the mainland and in Hawaii have dramatically increased knowledge of koloa and the likelihood of its ecological recovery.
Christopher Malachowski, a doctoral student at Oregon State University, has spent the past four years tracking koloa at Kauai’s Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge. From 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Lyman Museum, Malachowski will report on the duck’s conservation status, including preliminary research results and how they relate to future recovery actions.
Cost to attend is $3 or free for museum members.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum is located at 276 Haili St. in Hilo.
For more information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.